Building Your Skills

Succeeding in the workplace requires a mix of abilities, depending on your job and work environment. The good news? You’ve likely already started building many of these skills through school, clubs, volunteering, part-time jobs, or experiences at home, so you are already on your way.

Most workplace skills develop gradually over time. Starting early, practicing regularly, and building confidence step by step can make a big difference. Growth doesn’t happen overnight, and that’s okay. What matters most is being willing to learn and improve.

Several people sit on a staircase in an academic setting

Self-Understanding and Self-Advocacy

In the workplace, accommodations and supports are not provided automatically, you need to ask for them. This can feel challenging, especially for students who had an Individual Education Plan (IEP) in elementary or secondary school, where supports often followed them from year to year without much direct involvement. Because of this shift, self-advocacy becomes an important skill for workplace success.

Being a strong self-advocate means understanding yourself, recognizing the demands of your job, and knowing how to ask for the supports you need. It also involves being aware of your strengths, challenges, and how your disability may affect your work.

It’s helpful to remember that not all challenges require accommodations. Some areas of difficulty are connected to skills that can be learned and improved over time. Building these skills can increase your independence and confidence at work.

As you prepare to enter the workforce, take time to think about where accommodations may be helpful—and where you’d like to focus on developing new skills. Balancing self-advocacy with skill-building can help you take ownership of your success and move forward with confidence in the workplace.

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What Skills Will You Need?

Below are some of the most common skills needed for success in the workplace. Take time to honestly reflect on your strengths and areas where you may need more practice. This self-awareness can help you make informed decisions about career paths, identify supports that may be helpful, and focus your energy on building skills in areas that matter most to you.

Once you understand your personal learning and working profile, you can set realistic, achievable goals. By using your strengths to support areas of challenge, you can build effective strategies that move you toward greater independence and success in your chosen field.

As you review the skills below, ask yourself: Which of these am I already strong in? Which ones would I like to improve?

Essential Skills for the Workplace

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Time management and organization

Arriving prepared, managing your schedule, and completing tasks on time.

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Focus and attention

Staying on task, following instructions, and finishing what you start.

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Communication

Asking questions, learning from others, and interacting effectively with coworkers, clients, or customers.

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Stress management

Handling frustration, adapting to change, and responding constructively to feedback or criticism.

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Independence and personal responsibility

Completing assigned tasks, following workplace rules, and meeting job expectations with minimal supervision.

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Self-Advocacy

Effectively asking for assistance when needed and advocating for required accommodations and supports (whether informal or formal).

Building these skills takes time and practice, but every step you take helps prepare you for long-term success in the workplace.

What Skills Will You Need?

Below are some of the most common skills needed for success in the workplace. Take time to honestly reflect on your strengths and areas where you may need more practice. This self-awareness can help you make informed decisions about career paths, identify supports that may be helpful, and focus your energy on building skills in areas that matter most to you.

Once you understand your personal learning and working profile, you can set realistic, achievable goals. By using your strengths to support areas of challenge, you can build effective strategies that move you toward greater independence and success in your chosen field.

As you review the skills below, ask yourself: Which of these am I already strong in? Which ones would I like to improve?

Essential Skills for the Workplace

Time management and organization

Arriving prepared, managing your schedule, and completing tasks on time.

Two people working in a woodworking shop, using tools and wearing safety gear

Focus and attention

Staying on task, following instructions, and finishing what you start.

Two people converse over a book in a library

Communication

Asking questions, learning from others, and interacting effectively with coworkers, clients, or customers.

A photo of a modern institutional building

Stress management

Handling frustration, adapting to change, and responding constructively to feedback or criticism.

Independence and personal responsibility

Completing assigned tasks, following workplace rules, and meeting job expectations with minimal supervision.

Two people converse over a large document

Self-Advocacy

Effectively asking for assistance when needed and advocating for required accommodations and supports (whether informal or formal).

Learn more about essential employment skills

The more you understand how you learn and work, the easier it becomes to set goals that truly make sense for you. Many of these workplace skills can be developed and strengthened over time. Starting early and giving yourself plenty of opportunities to practice, at school, through sports or clubs, at work, or at home, can make a big difference.

As you build these skills, you’ll learn how to use your strengths to manage challenges and create a clear pathway toward independence and success in the career you choose.

Skills for Success - Assessment Tool Who am I - Career Planning

Build Your Skills

Once you’ve identified areas where you want to improve, the next step is to make a clear and realistic plan. Skill-building doesn’t happen all at once, it takes time, repetition, and patience. Starting early allows you to gradually build both competence and confidence.

High school is a great time to focus on developing the skills you will need in the workplace. Look for everyday opportunities to practice and grow, whether that’s through group projects, part-time work, volunteering, or responsibilities at home.

It is often most effective to focus on one skill at a time instead of trying to work on everything at once. Ask yourself:

Which skill do I want to work on first?
Is there a skill that’s currently challenging for me at school, work, or home?
Is there something that causes frustration in my day-to-day life?

Choosing one clear area to focus on can make skill-building feel more manageable and motivating.

Set Some Goals

Setting goals helps keep you focused, motivated, and moving forward. Clear, specific goals give you direction, guide your choices, and allow you to track your progress as you work toward your future career.

As you begin building your skills, setting goals, both short-term and long-term, can help turn effort into progress. Watch this short video on setting goals to get started!

Where to go?

There are many ways to build or strengthen your skills, both inside and outside of school. Here are some opportunities to explore:

In High School

High school is a great time to start practicing and developing the essential skills you’ll need for work and independence. Take advantage of opportunities to learn, try new things, and build your confidence along the way:

Co-Op Programs: Spend time on a job site and practice using real workplace skills. This hands-on experience gives you a feel for the work environment and helps you build confidence.
Volunteer or Part-Time Jobs: Gain experience, practice your skills, and see how your strengths apply in a real-world setting.
Talk to Your Teacher: Meet with your classroom or resource teacher to make a plan for skill development. Goals for improving specific areas can often be added to your IEP as an Alternate Program, helping you and your teachers work together to target areas of need.
Course Selection: Choose courses that teach about the working world, such as a K-Course or KGW – Exploring the World of Work (non-credit bearing courses). These courses can help you learn about careers, workplace expectations, and essential skills.

By exploring these opportunities, you can start building the foundation for future success while still in high school. Every skill you practice now will help you feel more confident and prepared for the workplace later.

Online Skills Courses

Building your skills is easier than ever with online resources. Whether you want to strengthen your workplace skills, boost your confidence, or prepare for further education, there are plenty of options to explore. Here are some great places to start:

Skills for Success: Discover tools to assess your current skills and find ways to improve them. Perfect for identifying areas to focus on and tracking your growth.
Skills for Work & Life: Part of the UP Skills for Work program, this course helps you develop essential skills for learning, work, and daily life.
ABC Skills Hub: An online learning portal that offers flexible, at-home courses through ABC Life Literacy Canada’s programs. Learn at your own pace and build practical skills for life and work.
Adult Learning: Literacy Program (Get SET) – The Get SET (Skills, Education, and Training) program helps you improve reading, writing, math, computer, and other skills. It’s a great way to prepare for further education, apprenticeships, or employment.
Employment Ontario & Local Career Centres: Many local employment services offer online and in-person training, workshops, and job coaching to help you develop skills and prepare for the workforce.

Exploring these resources is a great way to take control of your skill-building journey. Start with one course or program, practice regularly, and watch your confidence and abilities grow.

Next Steps

Now that you’ve explored the skills needed for workplace success and how to begin building them, it’s time to take action. In the next section, Let’s Go, you’ll focus on turning your goals and plans into real steps toward employment.

Building Your Skills