Overview
What Is Workplace Literacy?
Workplace literacy refers to the literacy, English language and numeracy skills needed by employees in order to effectively carry out their roles in the workplace. Literacy encompasses not only reading and writing, but also listening, speaking, problem solving and critical thinking skills.
Workplace literacy means the mix of skills employees need to complete everyday tasks at work. Employees need these skills to communicate with customers, understand health and safety information, keep accurate records and follow production schedules.
When your employees do any of the following, they are using literacy, language or numeracy skills:
- Participate in a team meeting
- Complete calculations
- Assess the reasonableness of numeric data
- Fill out forms
- Follow or give clear instructions
- Address problems
- Follow SOPs or health and safety procedures
- Communication and customer service skills face to face, phone, and email
- Understanding rules and regulations at work
Workplace Literacy in New Zealand
Extensive surveys carried out in 1996 (IALS) and 2006 (ALL Survey) revealed a significant need for workplace literacy, language, and numeracy development in New Zealand. Although small workplace literacy programmes were run throughout the 1990s, it was not until 2001 that significant government funding was made available, through the Workplace Literacy Fund, to assist employers in addressing the need for literacy, language and numeracy skill development.
The Workplace Literacy Fund is most commonly accessed by specialist literacy providers who have a fixed level of funding made available to them in order to deliver workplace literacy programmes in New Zealand businesses.
For more information on workplace literacy and the Workplace Literacy Fund, download the TEC’s Employer Information Pack here.
Wilkinson’s Workplace Literacy Services
Wilkinson’s Workplace Literacy Services has over five years’ experience delivering Tertiary Education Commission (TEC) funded Workplace Literacy Programmes in Christchurch and other South Island businesses. We work with both large and small organisations, in a range of industries from construction and mining to manufacturing and food processing.
Our Staff
Our specialist tutors have a wealth of experience and have been approved by the Tertiary Education Commission. To receive further details on our tutoring team, contact us.
Workplace Literacy Programme (English For Work)
Learner Eligibility
This course is FREE for a learner who:
- is an NZ residents or citizen
- is in the paid workforce, (full-time, part-time, casual, self-employed)
- has low skill levels in literacy, numeracy, or literacy and numeracy, as determined by us
Workplace Literacy Programme offers:
- 40-80 hours tuition
- An individual learning plan for each learner which targets skills needed to be productive in the workplace
- Experienced tutors
- You can study 2-4 hours per week at a time that suits you
- Flexible timetable – tutors can come to your workplace, or you can choose to study at our school at a time that suits you
Location
Lessons can be at your workplace or at our school from Monday to Saturday from 7 AM to 9 PM.
Programme Content
Unlike off-the-shelf courses, we tailor each programme to meet the needs of your employees and your business. We focus on developing skills that can be applied immediately in the workplace, so participants experience success and you see immediate benefits.
You can choose the area that you want your course to focus on
- English for Business communication skills
- English for health and aged care
- English in Manufacturing Industry and Trades
- English for retail and customer service
- English for Restaurants and Bakeries
- English for Agriculture, farms, and dairy
- English for Hospitality
- English for Hairdressing, Barbers, and the Beauty industry
- English for Alternative medicine & Massage therapy (Herbalist- Chinese medicine – Acupuncture – ..etc)
- English for Engineering and mechanical trades
- English for arts and design
- English for Cleaning and Gardening services
- Digital Literacy (Word & Excel)
Pricing
FREE
Wilkinson’s Workplace Literacy has secured government funding via the Tertiary Education Commission to deliver programmes in New Zealand businesses in 2013. This may mean that your programme is fully funded. Contact us to find out more.