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Literacy, Language and Numeracy


The Need

Results from the ALLS (Adult Literacy and Life Skills) Survey showed that 1.1 million New Zealanders (43 per cent of adults aged 16–65) have literacy, language and numeracy skills below those needed to participate fully in a knowledge society. Over 80 per cent of these people are currently employed and predicted to be still working in 2020. Source: TEC literacyandnumeracyforadults.com

The reasons for low levels of literacy, language and numeracy (LLN) skills are many. One essential fact is that modern workplaces are increasingly complex and many demand high levels of LLN competence. 

The Impact

Some of the impacts of low LLN skills are shown in:

  • Poor communication with co-workers, clients and suppliers
  • Product wastage, errors and frequent reworking
  • Poor quality processes and documentation
  • Poor health and safety
  • Workers who are unwilling to take on changing responsibilities
  • Staff turnover and poor attendance   

An employer who is convinced of the benefits of improving LLN skills comments:
“We’re doing this because we get fewer mistakes, we get a safer environment, and we have more committed staff, less staff turnover and more cross-skilling, people who can back up if someone’s away. In the longer term, we can only be better off.”

 

Value-Add

When employees improve their literacy, language and numeracy skills, employers benefit by:

  • better communication, less wastage, fewer errors
  • higher quality documentation
  • improved health and safety
  • less staff turnover and better attendance
  • higher productivity and ultimately
  • improved profitability.

For the employee, the benefits that result through the support offered include increased confidence and motivation to do their job better and keep learning on the job.

This is a win-win situation for the employer and the employee.

 

HSI Uses a Variety of LLN Embedded Approaches to Training

All approaches are designed to support the employer and employee through their training journey.

  • During the training period, HSI will assist the employer to support the employee using one or more embedded approach.
  • HSI focuses on the employees’ needs, the learning material, the learning environment and the training.
  • HSI will develop LLN job profiles for specific roles, and
  • assist the employer to  further develop their supportive learning environments in the workplace.

LLN embedded training is when the opportunity to learn and improve literacy, language and numeracy skills is made available at the same time as the opportunity to learn and improve vocational skills.

The Hospitality Standards Institute (HSI), through its ITO embedded literacy, language and numeracy programme, can assist employees signed up to HSI training that has been embedded. This is likely if it is Levels 1 – 3 on the NZQF (New Zealand Qualifications Framework).

Skills-check Using the "Literacy and Numeracy For Adults Assessment Tool"

Focusing on the needs of employees  means  finding out what gaps they may have in their literacy, language and numeracy skills, when they begin training.

  • The skills-check is taken online, is free to use, and takes around 15 minutes
  • The Skills-check is taken again after the training period
  • Some time is also needed to introduce and explain results

The value-add to both employee  and  employer, makes this a very worthwhile use of time.