the ABC
of LL & N
A
ll RTOs are now being
asked to demonstrate
that they are making
genuine Language, Literacy and
Numeracy considerations in the
development and delivery of their
programs, irrespective of content,
to support improved completion
rates as well as competency of
employees in the workplace.
This was further outlined in the
National Quality Council 2009 Annual
Report with recommendation 15:
“Ensure that Language, Literacy and
Numeracy requirements are made more
explicit in the development of occupational
and foundation qualifications.”
Educating the educators
If you teach an individual to read and
write then you have lifted the literacy skills
of one person. However if you teach the
24 •
Management
teachers, trainers or workplace supervisors
to identify and address the reading, writing
and numeracy issues of their students or
trainees at the workplace or in the training
program it will lift the literacy skills of
thousands of students and workers.
Model:
One hundred Supervisors, Workplace
Trainers, VET teachers/trainers

Impacts on thousands of students,
apprentices, trainees, matureaged learners, employees

Economic impact!
An Australian Bureau of Statistics
survey conducted in 2006 found that
60% of unemployed Australians ‘do not
have adequate core skills to function
effectively in the workplace’.
A Queensland Chamber of Commerce
press release in 2010 stated that language,
literacy and numeracy issues are
prevalent in the construction, agriculture,
manufacturing, hospitality and transport
industries resulting in miscalculations, loss of
productivity, time wastage, poor adherence
to procedures and processes and is often
hidden behind a culture that is resistant
to change or development of new skills.
It is therefore evident that lifting the
literacy skills of thousands in Australia will
have a very positive impact on our economy.
How can VET Trainers effectively
support learners with LLN
support needs?
The Australian Core Skills Framework (ACSF)
describes levels of performance in the five
core skills of learning, reading, writing,
oral communication and numeracy skills.
The framework comprises of five levels
from basic at Level 1 to University level
at level 5. Here are some ‘samples of
‘levels’ of the ACSF in writing, speaking
and numeracy from basic Level 1 to
“able to be trained” – Level 3
ACSF Level
Level 1
rudimentary, beginning,
basic, initial English
Language skills
Level 2
developing, foundation
English Language Skills
Level 3
advanced, extended
English Language Skills
What skill?
Can independently
write facts and
phrases:
Can independently
answer:
Can independently
identify numbers
and write:
Can write sentences
Example
First Name: Lydia
Family Name:
Smith
Address:
45 Brown St
I hav three chilren
Yes. My name is Lydia Smith. I have three children.
Date:
1/4/08
Phone:
08 3452900
Date of Birth:
23/4/66
I am a disability carer for a respite centre. I have a first
aid card and I did manual lifting certificate.
Can independently
explain:
Can independently
calculate:
Hi, Lydia here. I have a problem with George. Yep he is not taking his medication.
I am going to give him some chocolate mixed with it – is that ok?
Day: Monday
Date: 12/2/07
Name of Carer
Time started
Time finished
L.Smith
11.00 24.15
Timesheet: 12.2.07 Number of hours & mins worked: 13 hrs and 15 mins
Can write paragraphs: I worked as a childcare assistant for the company, “Learning Children Centre”, for 7 years,
and then ABC Learning Centre for another 5 years. I have been a supervisor organisng the
rosters and leant how to use the data computer system. These have been interesting jobs
but I am gaining some more qualifications and looking for managerial positions now.
I am completing a qualification in computers and small business management. My resume
and references demonstrate how reliable, trustworthy and motivated I am in any of my jobs.
Can clarify:
It is really simple. When you are asked to drive the community bus you must have your licence
and a float for the petrol as well as a list of who and where to pick up people. If you do not do
this you will become lost and we will get complaints and you may even lose your job.
Can calculate
There are four deliveries from the laundry coming in and it will take about 20 minutes to
and estimate:
unload each one. So, if you work with George as a team - George will drive the forklift and
you tick off the goods as they come in against the list. Should take about 1 ½ hrs
Case Study
How do you train Gwen when her literacy
skills are not sufficient? Can she be
considered competent in the workplace
when she cannot read or write well
enough to do the routine paperwork?
How does it work in practice?
“Gwen” has been working at the Respite
centre for 12 years. She does night shift
and has always receives glowing reports
and accolades from her colleagues and the
families of her clients regarding the high
level of care she provides. Gwen’s clients and
colleagues also look forward to seeing her
or at least are calmer when she is rostered
on. In her time at the centre she has become
a role model for others. Gwen knows how
to really care for the clients whose needs
are sometimes overwhelming particularly
for those who are not used to working
with people with a disability. Even though
most of her clients can talk they may not
always be able to explain what they need or
how they are feeling. Over the years Gwen
has been able to almost intuitively, know
what to do when one of them is upset.
When legislative changes came in,
Gwen’s supervisor offered her the
opportunity to gain the Certificate III
in Disability with a view to create a
supervisory position for the night shift.
This would not only give Gwen
the recognition she deserves but
also increase her wages.
Gwen always does a handover
that is both written and verbal.
Here is her written sample:
“I feed them at 8 and befor
bed. At 10. Evry persen gets
sumthing to
eet on time.
I list a persens
name to
wat they get. …”
And her spoken is... "I feed them their
dinner at 8 then just before bed I make
them some hot milk and give them a biscuit
each. I make sure everyone has something
to eat and drink. I write down if they have
The Language, Literacy
and Numeracy Experts
RESOURCES NOW AVAILABLE TO ALL RTOs
Using our LLN expertise, MW Training Consultants has recently
completed work to identify the embedded LLN skill levels within
industry qualifications for the following Vocational areas:
• Aged Care/HACC
• Agriculture
• Asset Maintenance
• Automotive
• Business
• Children’s Services
• Community Services
• Disability Work
• Employability Skills
• Construction
• Health Support
• Horticulture
• Hospitality
• Information Technology
• Retail
• Security
• Transport
• Youth Work
• Communication
• OHS
We have developed a range of Vocationally specific resources
that are able to be used to assess and address individual levels
of literacy and numeracy, so that learners are able to effectively
engage in vocational training and employment.
(07) 3283 3311
admin@mwtrain.com.au
www.mwtrain.com.au
Management • 25
one or two biscuits and what type just in
case someone has a problem during the
night and the ambulance needs to know."
With customised training and assessment
it is possible to lift Gwen’s LLN skills to help
her achieve her full potential, including
progressing into management roles.
Her spoken skills are higher at
around a Level 3 ACSF than her
written skills at a Level 1 ACSF.
What are the stages again?
Appropriate on-the-job training for Gwen
could include verbal discussion and
observation and with short answer questions
to check factual knowledge. You would also
provide her with practice in writing factual
case notes and drawing up rosters so she
would be prepared for the supervisory
work that she would need to do.
The Certificate III in Disability needs
a minimum of ACSF Level 2 across
all units to be able to cope with
the reading, numeracy and writing
demands; and Level 3 ACSF for
spoken and learning demands.
Gwen’s writing skills would need
to be reassessed throughout
the training to ensure that she
had achieved the necessary
ACSF level to be assessed as
competent in the units that are
included in this qualification.
After the provision of vocational
LLN training (2 days in total),
Gwen has improved her writing
skills to an ACSF Level 2. “…I
need 2 other staff on night
shift in case something happens.
Mary can work for 8 hours then
we can cover with Dan for 4 hours
and then Sue for 4 hours with her. I
will be the main supervisor with Mary”.
1. Determine what the individual
can do in terms of reading, writing,
numeracy, speaking and listening,
learning against the ACSF – ACSF aligned
LLN assessment resources are available
2. Determine the minimum
requirements for ACSF level for each
unit in the vocational qualification – It
is recommended all VET trainers learn how
to determine this. Workshops are being
delivered nationally and this service is also
available for any RTO requiring assistance
3. Determine the gap between 1 and
2 then plan training to ‘bridge the
gap’ using the examples from the
ACSF – Vocationally specific resources are
available to lift individual levels of LLN
For more information about the ACSF
visit www.deewr.gov.au or Google
“Australian Core Skills Framework”.
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) would
also be an appropriate assessment method
for Gwen as well as practical demonstration/
observation, discussion, third party
reports and short answer questions.
Irena Morgan is the Managing
Director of MW Training Consultants
which has delivered language,
literacy and numeracy (LLN) training
for the Commonwealth and State
in community, institutional and
workplace contexts and training
teachers and trainers since 1993.
She has extensive education and
experience in LLN and is also the
Managing Director of ABRA Qld.
www.mwtrain.com.au
Reference Table:
There are areas of overlap between the Employability skills and the 5 core skills of the ACSF. These can be seen most clearly at facet level.
EMPLOYABILITY SKILL & FACET(S)
Communication skills
Listening and understanding
Writing to the needs of the audience
Reading independently
Using numeracy effectively
Team work skills
Coaching, mentoring and giving feedback
Problem solving
Testing assumptions taking the context of data and circumstances into account
Initiative and enterprise skills
Adapting to new situations
Planning and organising skills
Collecting, analysing and organising information
Self management skills
Articulating own ideas and vision
Learning skills
Managing own learning
Technology skills
Using IT to organise data
26 •
Management
THE ACSF CORE SKILL
Oral Communication
Writing
Reading
Numeracy
Oral Communication
Numeracy
Learning
Learning, Reading, Oral Communication
Learning, Oral Communication, Writing
Learning
Numeracy