National Foundation Skills Strategy
ACTA Adult ESL Working Group
It is almost 20 years since a national approach to adult Language Literacy and Numeracy has been on the agenda. During late 2010 and early 2011 publications by a range of organisations were released addressing the issue of Foundation Skills for adults:
- Foundation Skills in VET Products for the 21st Century - National Quality Council
- No more excuses: an industry response to the language, literacy and numeracy challenge - Industry Skills Council
- Creating a future direction for Australian vocational education and training - an AMES discussion paper on shaping the future direction of the VET sector
- Building the foundations: outcomes from the adult language, literacy and numeracy search conference (NCVER)
Other relevant papers include:
- Skills for Prosperity: a road map for Vocational Education and Training Report – Skills Australia
- Links Between Literacy and Numeracy Skills and Labour Market Outcomes – Productivity Commission
- NVEAC Equity Blueprint 2011-2016
In April 2011 the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR) Released its Consultation paper on the need for a National Foundation Skills Strategy and held national consultations with key stakeholders. ACTA provided a response to the consultation paper. DEEWR is due to release a report on its website about the consultations in the near future.
National Quality Council agreed at its April 2011 meeting to the development of a Foundation Skills Training Package. (National Quality Council Newsletter May 2011)
At the ACTA Teleconference in May it was agreed that ACTA would set up an Adult ESL Working Group which will come together (either by email or teleconference) to discuss issues as they arise, to review the draft National Foundation Skills Strategy for Adults and other publications and to develop responses as these are required.
State and territory associations are encouraged to discuss these publications with their members and to call on any volunteers who wish to be involved in the working group to contact Liz Davidson.