As we approach the end of the year, we want to recognize the hard work that participants in the Newcomers to the Trades project have put into overcoming the challenges that the pandemic has presented since they began their journey in the spring. Participants adapted …
Guided Pathways: Training Design and Development
As we near the end of 2020, we are one step closer to rolling out our training component for the Guided Pathways project. Starting in winter 2021, we will provide training to 900 career development practitioners (CDPs) across the country to integrate essential skills resources …
Taking the Screen: Cannexus 2021
We are happy to announce that we will be (virtually) returning to CERIC’s annual career development conference, Cannexus, in 2021! To fit next year’s theme, Career Development for Public Good, AWES will present on Guided Pathways: Integrating Essential Skills into Practice. This project focuses on …
Guided Pathways: Meet the Advisory Committee
The Guided Pathways project is thrilled to introduce an exceptional group of professionals who have joined our Advisory Committee. This committee will serve to give expert advice into the Guided Pathways project in the areas of essential skills, adult learning, and career development. This group …
Skills for Work
Created in partnership with TIQ Software, AWES is excited to announce our just released and very first ‘gamified’ training series! Our team has been working hard over the last few months to get the pilot ready for Skills for Work, a new 18 course online …
Guided Pathways: Survey results
As many of you have experienced, COVID-19 is bringing challenges that could never have been predicted. At AWES, we are working to find solutions to ensure our development and training continues to reach all of our partners and clients. For the Guided Pathways: Integrating Essential Skills research …
Cannexus 2020
The Executive Director of AWES, Cindy Messaros, had a chance to share a bit more about the project at the federal Cannexus conference. Click here to see our latest communication regarding recruitment.
Final Survey Draw
Thanks to all of you who took the time to complete the Guided Pathways: Integrating essential skills survey. The final winners for the weekly were drawn December 16th and they are: Rebecca McKee, Victoria Keya Bhattacharya, Burnaby Lily-Ann Kodzin, Yelowknife Meredith Cunningham, Surrey Cherry Kwan, …
Careerwise Guest Blog
In January, you will find AWES at the Cannexus conference in Ottawa. We had a chance to share a bit more about one of our successful prior projects with career development practitioners in their newsletter. Find it here: https://careerwise.ceric.ca/2019/12/02/career-development-and-essential-skills-how-do-they-go-together/.
Week 3 Winners
Career development practitioners are asked to complete the Guided Pathways: Integrating essential skills survey. The third draw for gift cards happened December 8th, 2019! We’re excited to announce this week’s winners: Noor ul ain Asif, Burnaby -$100 Susanne Urbina, St. Albert – $100 gift card Shifana …
It’s December and we have exciting news!
We know that December is a busy month but we want to make sure that we hear from all the career development practitioners we can so… The survey will be open for an extra week! Since it is now December, and in the spirit …
Week 2 winners!
Career development practitioners are asked to complete the Guided Pathways: Integrating essential skills survey. The second draw for gift cards happened December 2nd, 2019! We’re excited to announce this week’s winners: Linus Leow, Vancover Warren Munroe, Owen Sound Kristine Snider, Owen Sound Francine Maurice, Penetanguishene …
First week winners!
Career development practitioners are asked to complete the Guided Pathways: Integrating essential skills survey. The first draw for gift cards happened November 25th. We’re excited to announce this week’s winners: Sarah Yerhoff – Enderby, BC Pamela Jadischke – Kitchener, ON Kimberley Dart – Calgary, AB …
Career Development Practitioner National Survey
AWES has been funded to implement Guided Pathways: Integrating essential skills, a national project working with career development practitioners to incorporate essential skills tools into their practices. AWES has released a survey to gather information on the sector and is asking for members of the …
Curiosity leads to a national training project
By Sue Oguchi, lead curriculum developer and trainer for AWES Where it started “It would have been helpful for me to know about the essential skills framework when I was working as an employment counsellor.” – AWES workshop participant This seemingly simple comment piqued my …
Guided Pathways: Project phases and opportunities
Guided Pathways: Integrating essential skills
Check out our new project here. More news coming soon.
Starting your Career in the Food Processing Industry: An online course
We are excited to offer this new opportunity for newcomers wanting to access jobs in the food processing industry. The online course is easy to access and allows for self-registration. Click her for more information.
Skilling UP: THK Case Study

Read about the exciting results we got with our essential skills training. THK Rhythm Automotive Canada THK Rhythm Automotive Canada is a parts manufacturing plant located in Tillsonburg, Ontario. At the time of the project, THK supplied parts to 10 countries, 34 customers, and 56 locations. The company …
Ah Ha! Moments: An instructor’s experience with Skilling UP

By Carolyn Rasiuk, a lead trainer for Skilling UP An instructor’s perspective When I first heard about the pilot project to bring Skilling UP’s Workplace Essential Skillsprogram into a manufacturing environment, I was definitely intrigued. I have more than two decades of experience …
Skilling UP: Cosmetica Case Study

Read about the exciting results we got with our essential skills training. Cosmetica Cosmetica Laboratories operates in Ontario and most of their employees at the time of the project spoke English as a second language. The company has experienced tremendous growth in recent years. Click the image below to …
Playing to our Strengths: Ensuring success in essential skills training

By Sue Grecki, Manager of Training and Development, SkillPlan SkillPlan specializes in workplace skill consultation and training for construction trades, mining, LNG, educators, & Indigenous groups to improve productivity and efficiency in Canada. A partner’s perspective The Skilling UP project framework was a …
Skilling UP: Chapman’s Case Study

Read about the exciting results we got with our essential skills training. Chapman’s Chapman’s is Canada’s largest independent ice cream and frozen yogurt manufacturer. The company is family owned and has been operating in a small town in Ontario for more than forty years. Click the image below …
From the Factory Floor – One company’s experience with Skilling UP

By Annamaria Rocco, Director, Human Resources, Cosmetica Laboratories Inc. Cosmetica Laboratories Inc. was a participant in the Skilling UP project and was the employer with the highest percentage of workers born outside Canada, and the highest percentage of workers who had a first language other …
Skilling UP: Putting the customer first

By Cindy Messaros, Executive Director, Alberta Workforce Essential Skills The Original Skilling UP Model Skilling UP was originally conceived for two purposes: To examine the effectiveness of a Social Finance model in increasing essential skills in the workplace To better measure the potential return …
2018 ATESL Conference
Join us at the Fantasyland Hotel in Edmonton from October 12th to 13th where AWES will provide an overview of an exciting new resource targeting CLB 1&2 learners hoping to enter the workforce. https://www.atesl.ca/conference/welcome/
Skilling UP Interim Report
The initial data and impacts of the Skilling UP project can be found in this report published by the Social Research and Demonstration Corporation (SRDC). Link to report
Welcome to the AWES Blog
You may have noticed some changes to our website recently which include this added blog. We’re looking forward to using the blog to share some of the exciting things we are up to as well as sharing some of the news and information that move …
Language and Skills for Careers in Food Processing
Exciting training opportunity This training will be held in Lethbridge and Calgary. Three different workshop dates available in the fall of 2018. Click here for more information.
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITY FOR Career and employment counsellors serving immigrant clients
The following workshop is available: Red Deer September 6th and 7th, 2018
2018 National Apprenticeship Conference

2018 National Apprenticeship Conference Join us at the Fairmont Queen Elizabeth in Montréal, QC from June 10–12 for the 2018 National Apprenticeship Conference. The 2018 conference will highlight initiatives, programs and strategies that contribute to Canada’s world-class apprenticeship system. Innovative on-the-ground approaches that reflect how …
The Skilling Up project is announced
The Honourable Jason Kenney, Minister of Employment and Social Development, announced the project in his keynote speech at the Social Enterprise World Forum in October 2013.