Free upgrading of your reading, writing, math, computer and other skills for work, life and learning.

Contact ESU

High school interrupted by COVID?  We can help you upgrade to move on to college or apprenticeship.
(see Note 1 below)
Employment interrupted by COVID?  We can help you upgrade the skills you need to make a change.

  • Upgrading to get ready to write the GED replacement – the CAEC (Canadian Adult Education Credential) to earn a high school equivalency certificate (see our CAEC – the GED replacement! page for links to CAEC)
  • Upgrading to get ready for apprenticeship and college.
  • Upgrading for career advancement.

lists of reasons why to attend, list of times and places, and list of eligibility criteria

What people are saying about ESU:

“This makes my brain happy and excited” ~R.P.

“I like how coming here has made me feel. The [training plan] was made just for me. [The teaching staff] made me feel important, and I value their teaching. I highly recommend ESU.”  ~M.C.

Read more Testimonials

ESU:Essential Skills Upgrading is an Employment Ontario Get SET program
Government of Ontario logo and word mark saying "Get SET" (Get Skills, Education and Training)

Notes about eligibility:

Note 1: To be eligible for ESU, a person must be 18 or over and not a current student at a high school

Note 2: English Speaking and Listening requirement: ESU is not an ESL or LINC program.  The level of speaking and listening skills will be determined at assessment, or may involve a Language Assessment.  For reference, Speaking and Listening should be roughly equivalent to CLB6

Note 3: if Social Insurance Number (SIN) begins with 900, see Ministry memo: Access to Employment Ontario Programs for Individuals with 900 Series Social Insurance Numbers (December 2022)