The Developing Essential Skills for the Gaming/Casino Industry in Canada project (DESIGI) is a two year project (April 2009 – April 2011) initiated through the Canadian Gaming Centre of Excellence (CGCE), a subsidiary of Manitoba Lotteries. The CGCE was created in 2004 to address the limited educational opportunities for Canadian Gaming professionals with an eye toward developing expertise in gaming education for the Canadian casino/gaming industry.

The CGCE applied for and received federal funding from Human Resources and Skills Development Canada (HRSDC) in the amount of $495,000, with an additional $270,000 in in-kind contributions from Manitoba Lotteries and additional project partners. This project will develop a network of Canadian Gaming organizations and seeks to increase the essential skill level of current and prospective gaming employees across Canada (focusing on training Aboriginal/new Canadians for the gaming workforce).

The main area of activity for the DESIGI project is Development of Support Mechanisms through the development of training programs, handbooks and teacher guides for seven essential skills including reading, writing, document use, oral communication, working with others, numeracy, and thinking skills (decision making-problem solving).  A comprehensive Learning Map in the form of a website will also provide development opportunities.  The Essential Skills Website will allow people, at the click of a button, to identify different areas/departments within the casino environment, the actual positions available in those areas and the essential skill requirements for each position.  Using a virtual reality approach very necessary essential skill information will be accessed in an entertaining format-entertainment being the hallmark of the Gaming/Casino industry.

The secondary activity is Building the Knowledge Base will be accomplished through a research project highlighting skill requirements, skill gaps and current training and contacts for the Gaming/Casino industry as well as the continued development of 10 Essential Skill profiles to join the previously developed 46 Essential Skill Profiles for the Gaming Industry.

The final activity of the DESIGI project centers on Outreach which will be accomplished by the set up of an Advisory committee comprised of industry experts and stakeholders from across the country as well as the training of 5-8 Essential Skill Gaming Specialist with industry specific knowledge.  This national network and dialogue will continue to be supported post project by the Canadian Gaming centre of Excellence.  Materials will also be housed for distribution to gaming organizations and employment related organizations in particular Aboriginal and new Canadian focused agencies.