HOME What is literacy/numeracy and how does it affect learning? Where do I find the literacy/numeracy requirements of training packages? How do I find the literacy/numeracy requirements of the workplace? How do I identify students' literacy/numeracy needs? What should I do to support students' literacy/numeracy needs? Who can help me support students' literacy/numeracy needs?
   
How do I find the literacy/numeracy requirements of the workplace?

Workplace communication and numeracy skills underpin most work in industry, from operators to the highest level of management. These skills are integrated into all components of training packages, including the competency standards, range statements, and evidence guides.

It is therefore essential that the workplace context is taken into account when carrying out training, assessment and recognition using your training package.

To gather information about a workplace, you could:

  • ask students about their workplace context
  • go on a site tour
  • observe workplace activities
  • collect and analyse sample workplace documents and records
  • talk to employees at different levels within the enterprise in order to identify communication systems and processes and critical issues related to communication and training.

 

Key questions include:

  • What communication systems are in place between employees and the organisation?
  • What reading and writing tasks do employees carry out (eg: shift reports, rosters, standard operating procedures, technical manuals)?
  • Do employees have to interact with the public or wider community (eg: taking phone enquiries, dealing with customers or clients, giving oral presentations)?
  • Do employees have to follow or give instructions to complete tasks?
  • Are there technical terms specific to the workplace?
  • How do employees learn new skills? Do they have to use a training manual?
Activity 4  
Workplace communication and numeracy can include reading, writing, speaking, listening and calculation tasks related to the production process, safety procedures, training activities or personnel requirements.

Click the link opposite for examples of typical workplace communication and numeracy tasks. Use the table provided to list the tasks that are common to your industry area.

Identifying LLN tasks in the workplace (34 kb)
Activity 5  

The LLN requirements in units of competence should be translated, or 'customised', with specific examples drawn from the workplace. The first link opposite gives an example of how this has been done with a unit from the Forestry training package.

Previously you analysed the LLN requirements in some of your own units of competence. Drawing on your earlier analysis, click the second link opposite, and use the table provided to customise the LLN requirements from your units.

Finally - consider this issue: if workplace LLN demands are higher than those defined in your training package, what can you do?

Example: customising LLN requirements with workplace examples (68 kb)
Customising LLN requirements (34 kb)