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Essential Skills Profiles (Retail Sales Associate)
Essential skills are the general skills that retail sales associates use to carry out a wide variety of everyday work and life tasks. They are not the technical skills required of a retail sales associate — rather, they are the skills that are required in all occupations. The specific form or complexity level required may vary. For example, writing skills are necessary in most occupations, but the complexity and frequency of writing varies. Some workers may fill in simple forms occasionally, while others may write complex monthly reports.
Essential skills are the foundation or enabling skills upon which training in other skills is based. The following is a breakdown of the essential skills classification as defined by Human Resources and Skills Development Canada (HRSDC):
Reading text
Document use
Writing
Numeracy
Oral communication
Thinking skills
Problem-solving
Decision-making
Job task planning and organizing
Significant use of memory
Finding information
Working with others
Computer use
Continuous learning
To download a full copy of the Essential Skills for Retail Sales Associates,
click here.
Essential skills profiles have been developed for several occupations. Essential skills profiles for other occupations can be
viewed here.