Essential skills are the important building block skills that were identified through the federal government sponsored Essential Skills Research Project.

Essential skills provide the foundation for learning all other skills and enable people to evolve with their jobs and adapt to workplace and life change. Conversely, a lack of essential skills can cost companies significant time and productivity losses.

CSTEC has worked with employers, unions, education and training institutions and governments to develop innovative approaches to identifying and remedying essential skills gaps in different workplaces. These include Skills Identification Tools to help identify essential skills gaps and the range of Essential Skills training courses that are available to upgrade these skills.

If you want to find out more about CSTEC's essential skills services, contact your regional essential skills coordinator.