WHERE CAN I GET HELP FOR ME AND MY STAFF?

There is plenty of help available for you as an employer, and for your employees.

Workplace Literacy Fund

This fund helps employers and workplace providers set up workplace literacy projects through which employees can access literacy, language and numeracy tuition at work.
Workplace projects can have a very positive effect by improving:

  • communication 
  • health and safety
  • employees' ability to complete workplace documentation 
  • reduced workplace errors 
  • reduced absenteeism, and 
  • improved staff retention and quality.

Find out more about it here: http://www.tec.govt.nz/templates/standard.aspx?id=917


Foundation Learning Pool

The goal of the government foundation learning work programme is to build adults' fluency, independence and range in language, literacy and numeracy so they can use these skills in all aspects of their lives.


The importance of foundation skills in the workplace and daily lives of individuals has been recognised by all government agencies and considerable work is under way to increase these skills at all levels.
Foundation learning should provide adults with opportunities to develop reading, writing, speaking, listening, problem solving and mathematical competencies, and the ability to use new technologies interactively.


Find out more about it here: http://www.tec.govt.nz/templates/standard.aspx?id=3074

The Upskilling Partnership Programme (UPP)

This is a government initiative to promote literacy and numeracy training in the workplace through a partnership approach.

The UPP is for employers who:

  • think there is a need for literacy and numeracy upskilling in their workplace
  • need advice about how they can access programmes to improve their employees' literacy and numeracy skills .

Find out more about it here: http://www.dol.govt.nz/services/upp/

Workbase

Workbase: The New Zealand Centre for Workforce Literacy Development is a not-for-profit organisation that specialises in improving workforce literacy. It works with businesses, unions and industry training /tertiary education organisations to develop literacy solutions for specific needs.

Workbase has already provided literacy programmes to more than 100 companies in a wide range of industries, from plastics to food processing, to furniture manufacture to aged care.
Programmes are customised to meet the needs of each learner and the goals of the client organisation.


Programmes can also be based around unit standards so learners can develop reading, writing, speaking and listening, numeracy, problem-solving and technology skills while achieving industry qualifications.


Workbase also provides a nationwide consultancy service to support businesses identify and address workforce literacy issues.


You may be entitled to a government subsidy through the Workplace Literacy Fund to carry out your workplace literacy programme, and could receive a subsidy of up to 85% of the programme cost.
Find out more about it here: http://www.workbase.org.nz

Literacy Aotearoa

This is a national organisation offering a range of literacy services.


Literacy Aotearoa has also been contracted to deliver literacy and numeracy support directly to Modern Apprentices. Any Modern Apprentice who is referred to Literacy Aotearoa and is assessed as having a literacy and/or numeracy need will receive up to 30 hours support.


Find out more about it here: http://www.literacy.org.nz

Adult and Community Education (ACE) 

The national ACE providers of literacy and numeracy provide flexible, individualised learning for adults. This is often a crucial first step for an individual in building people's literacy and numeracy skills.
Find out more about it here: http://www.tec.govt.nz/templates/standard.aspx?id=2788

Building a qualified workforce to teach literacy and numeracy - Study grants are available to support educators/tutors/trainers to acquire qualifications in teaching literacy and numeracy.
Find out more about it here: http://www.tec.govt.nz/templates/standard.aspx?id=2983

More support for employers

New projects planned under the Literacy, Language and Numeracy Action Plan include:

  • setting up an employer network to champion work-based literacy, language and numeracy programmes
  • strengthening the Council of Trade Unions' learning representatives project's work with employees
  • strengthening the skills leadership role of industry training organisations (ITOs) in the area of literacy, language and numeracy within their industries
  • exploring ways of supporting relevant ‘in house' training initiatives 
  • recognising employer commitment to literacy initiatives through new employer awards 
  • supporting the Upskilling Programme Office to provide advice to employers interested in starting up programmes to improve the literacy and numeracy of their employees.

Find out more about it here: Keep in touch with developments through the TEC website at
http://www.tec.govt.nz