ADULT ASSESSMENT TOOL

Trainees complete a series of questions that are related to their current reading and/or writing and/or numeracy skills levels. The Assessment Tool analyses trainees' results as it goes and provides users with a reliable assessment of their skills levels in terms of Steps 1-6 on the Learning Progressions. The results will help Retail Institute and employers to continuously improve our training resources. They will also provide information for us to recommend a trainee's ‘next steps' in terms of a suitable training programme for them.

The Assessment Tool assessments will be offereed as pre-training support to trainees at levels 1-4 on the NQF. It will increase their confidence and success in training. It will also be offered to trainees at the end of their training programme so that they can see how training has had an impact on their skills.

How long does an assessment take?

There are two versions of the Literacy and Numeracy Adult Assessment Tool:

• The full-length Reading, Writing and Numeracy - usually taking about 40 minutes per section to complete - paper-based or online (adaptive or not).
• The ‘Snapshot' version (available from February 2011) with Reading and/or Numeracy sections - includes approximately 16 questions and has no time limit. However, it usually takes about 20 minutes  to complete. Retail Institute trainees will be using this ‘Snapshot' version. 

How do I get my workplace involved?

Think about how your employees benefit from organised training: better morale, raised confidence, improved productivity. By encouraging them to have a realistic assessment of their Literacy and Numeracy skills through the LNAAT before they start their training programme, this will give a clear picture of their potential to complete training successfully and quickly. 

What are the benefits to my business and employees?

As employers, you will be offered an overview of trainees' LNAAT results, showing broadly what your employees can already do well, and where further help is needed.

The Assessment Tool will also outline:

• Information for trainees on their current skills level
• Which literacy and numeracy skills the trainees need (in relation to qualifications, training, work demands or social contexts)
• Information for Retail Institute to recommend 'next steps' for trainees' in terms of further training

The Assessment Tool will also allow trainees to track their progress over time and enable us to report on that progress made by groups or cohorts of trainees.

The results from the Snapshot Assessment will also help us evolve our service and resources. This information will lead to better customer service, more engaged on=the-job learning, as well as increased productivity.

Further information about the Literacy and Numeracy Assessment Tool can be found at: http://www.literacyandnumeracyforadults.com and www.skillshighway.govt.nz