Foundation Skills in VET and the Australian workplace

Foundation skills for adults are simply defined as the basic skills required in order to participate in the workplace, the community and in education and training.

According to the National Foundation Skills Strategy for Adults, they are a combination of:

• English language, literacy and numeracy (LLN) – listening, speaking, reading, writing, digital literacy and use of mathematical ideas; and
• Employability skills, such as collaboration, problem-solving, self-management, learning and information and communication technology (ICT) skills required for participation in modern workplaces and contemporary life.

Research tells us that a staggering 7.5 million + Australian adults have insufficient literacy and numeracy skills, which in turn inhibits them from benefitting from training and/or participating effectively at work.

Through the National Foundation Skills Strategy all Australian governments have committed to a target that, by 2022, two-thirds of working-age Australians will have literacy and numeracy skills at a Level 3 or above.

In support of this goal the Australian Government, as indicated in the 2021-22 Budget, will invest $23.6 million over four years to expand access to foundation skills training, outreach and research for Australians with low levels of language, literacy, numeracy and digital skills.

So what does this mean for you, as an active trainer and assessor/aspiring educator/professional within the VET landscape?

There are many opportunities out there for expansion on your knowledge of Foundation Skills, with one in particular that we at Accellier have seen a recent rise in popularity.

The TAESS00009 Address Foundation Skills in Vocational Practice Skill Set is designed for any trainer who wishes to enhance their knowledge in supporting people with the development of their foundation skills and focusses on the required skills to gather resources and access support in order to assist their students to develop foundation skills, as well as integrate these skills into other VET courses.

Please contact us if you’d like further information about our TAESS00009 program.