18. We recommend that the provincial/territorial ministries of education and the Council of Ministers of Education Canada adopt a generic model of an education system that facilitates the school-to-work transition while respecting the existing provincial/territorial jurisdictions.

Some provinces have already moved in the proposed direction. Political commitment is necessary to ensure that such efforts are pursued.

In conjunction with greater emphasis on the world of work in the education system, we support the concept of employability skills assessment (ESA). The objective would be to develop a standard evaluation of basic skills required in today's working environment for entry-level job applicants. This assessment would set standards for knowledge and attitudes that high-school graduates should attain. Such standards should then be referred to in setting curricula. The Employability Skills Profile, developed by the Conference Board of Canada (Table 9) is an interesting example of the concept that the Task Force wants to promote. This profile has received wide support from employers; other groups, such as the Canadian Teachers' Federation, have also shown interest. More work must be done to implement the idea of an assessment based on such a profile, and the profile used must reflect a broad view, not only that of employers.

19. We recommend that the Employability Skills Profile be used as a basis for developing curricula in secondary schools throughout Canada.

We advocate a generic "seamless continuum" model for education and training. Such a model would encompass the following elements.

• To be relevant, curricula should be adjusted to include the basic skills listed in the Employability Skills Profile. A skills assessment should take place before completion of high school.
  
  
• Progressive awareness of the world of work and population diversity should be incorporated in the regular curriculum, starting as early as kindergarten.