The Essential Skills for successful student transition to apprenticeship programming in order of priority are

• Reading Text
• Document Use
• Continuous Learning
• Working with Others
• Thinking Skills
• Oral Communications
• Numeracy
• Writing
• Computer Use

Information was also gathered about what types of texts students interact with in apprenticeship programming. Reference materials are used extensively as are textbooks and virtual text. Lecture notes have little currency in apprenticeship programming.

The results for Numerical Calculation were less conclusive with no common patterns emerging, except that interviewees identified “perform calculations using measurements and quantities” as the most important numeracy skill.

Interviewees provided long lists of reading and numeracy tasks performed by students.

Typical tasks performed by students in apprenticeship programs include

• read Electrical Code book
• follow instructions for operating equipment
• read safety manuals
• consult on-line repair manuals
• read schematic diagrams (especially for wiring)
• use fluid flow diagrams
• calculate compression ratios (engine components)
• estimate pipe lengths

Survey findings were summarized in a report which was broadly distributed. The report was also posted on the CSC website.