foundation
skills
correctional
services
foundation skills correctional services
What Are Foundation Skills?
Foundation Skills are those core or essential
skills we need to engage successfully in
work and life. The term ‘Foundation Skills’ in
vocational education and training is currently
used to include the core skills defined in the
Australian Core Skills Framework (ACSF) as
well as the employability skills identified by
employers as critical for effective performance
in the workplace. The core skills of the ACSF
include Reading, Writing, Oral Communication,
Numeracy and Learning while employability
skills incorporate skills such as problem solving,
teamwork and digital literacy.
Although Foundation Skills are viewed as those
that underpin vocational learning and skills
development, they should not be interpreted
as only low-level or single-level skills. There is
a growing recognition that Foundation Skills
range from quite basic, entry-level skills to
very specialised or high-level skills. People
are constantly challenged when trying to
understand new forms of communication and
information as they take on different roles
throughout their personal and working life.
Initiatives in Australian
training policy that focus on
Foundation Skills are:
National Foundation Skills Strategy for Adults
The National Foundation Skills Strategy (NFSS)
has been developed as a response to findings
that approximately 40% of employed and 60% of
unemployed Australians have poor or very poor
literacy and numeracy skills (2006 ALLS survey).
These results highlight the need for a national focus
on improving the foundation skills (FS) of working-age
Australians so that they can acquire the skills they
need to meet the demands of everyday life, work and
participation in the community.
www.scotese.natese.gov.au/publications
Australian Core Skills Framework
The Australian Core Skills Framework (ACSF) provides
benchmarks against which performance can be
described and assessed in 5 core skills areas learning, reading, writing, oral communication and
numeracy. This tool can be applied in a range of
study and work contexts and has become a preferred
framework for training providers across Australia.
Further information can be found at:
www.deewr.gov.au/acsf
Core Skills for Work Framework
Core Skills for Work are the generic skills identified by
employers as being essential to participation in a range
of roles and industries in the Australian work context.
These skills were previously known as ‘employability
skills’ and have been reviewed and redefined in a
new framework known as the Core Skills for Work
Framework.
Further information can be found at:
www.deewr.gov.au/skills/resources/pages/
coreskillsforworkframework.aspx
Foundation Skills Training Package
A Foundation Skills Training Package is currently being
developed for release in 2013. This package intends to
provide National standards for foundation skills training
and more pathways into vocational qualifications. It also
provides a selection of units at a range of ACSF levels
to support foundation skills in vocational qualifications.
Further information about the Foundation Skills Training
Package can be found at:
http://www.ibsa.org.au
Foundation Skills are required to work in various roles and
employment levels within the Corrections Industry. Some
examples of typical tasks requiring foundation skills at
various levels of employment are:
entry Level
»» Locating and understanding key information in workplace
documents such as safety policies, procedures and signage
»» Completing routine workplace forms and templates
and writing simple reports and emails.
»» Using culturally inclusive and respectful listening
and speaking skills to confirm understanding
»» Understanding and applying basic measurement
»» Applying verbal and written communication skills
with work colleagues to ensure mutual safety
Mid-Level
»» Writing routine workplace documents in the required
format, style, structure and timeframe
»» Communicating in culturally appropriate language and style
with offenders, colleagues and members of the public
»» Extracting, interpreting and
understanding a
range of routine mathematical information
»» Using computer networks and information
systems for storing and retrieving data
»» Consulting regularly with supervisors and colleagues
to review and improve workplace practices.
High level
»» Reading, interpreting and analysing a range of
complex and often sensitive workplace texts
»» Providing written input to a range of texts including
organisational strategies, policies and plans
»» Adjusting interpersonal communication styles and methods to
fit with the organisation’s social and cultural environment
»» Preparing complex operating plans & budgets and
managing expenditure on individual projects
»» Proposing effective solutions to resolve problems and conflict
Level 11, 147 Pirie Street
Adelaide SA 5000
T (08) 8100 7400
F (08) 8232 7444
E info@governmentskills.com.au
W governmentskills.com.au
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