What is TOWES?
TOWES is an assessment that measures three
important skills needed for work in Canada: reading text, document
use, and numeracy. These skills are called literacy and
essential skills.
Everyone has literacy and essential
skills! You use these skills every day at school, in training, at
work and in your daily life. Literacy and essential skills are
different from the technical or occupation specific skills we use
at work. They are the core set of skills used in every
occupation.
TOWES assesses:
• Reading
Text: Finding and using written information such as
notes, letters, bulletins, reports, emails, regulations, and
labels.
• Document
Use: Finding and using information in forms, tables,
drawings, symbols, charts, schematics, icons, lists and signs.
•
Numeracy: Finding and using numerical
information like measuring, calculating, scheduling, budgeting,
estimating and analyzing data.
TOWES is different from other assessments.
When writing TOWES, you will assume the role of a worker who must
solve problems and complete tasks. You will use a real
Canadian workplace document to answer the question. The questions
and the documents represent the types of tasks you would encounter
on the job. For example, you may be asked to read an email to find
the time for a meeting.
TOWES assesses how you apply your skills to
solve problems or complete tasks. It is not an assessment you
can pass or fail. Your results will tell you if you can apply
your skills to complete basic, intermediate or advanced workplace
tasks.
The Government of Canada has occupational
descriptions called Essential Skills Profiles. The profiles
explain how essential skills are used in Canadian occupations. You
can use your TOWES results to compare the skills you already have
with the skills needed for a specific occupation.
Your TOWES score will also provide
valuable information to your instructor. It will help them
teach you the skills needed to be successful in learning and at
work.