From July 2009, the revised purchasing framework for Workplace Literacy funding takes effect.
There are also changes to the funding requirements and an increased focus on employers developing sustainable literacy and numeracy programmes within their workplace, and literacy and numeracy outcomes from their Workplace Literacy funding.
The main changes for employers include:
- A TEC Literacy and Numeracy Employer Advisor is available to work with employers to provide advice on accessing literacy and numeracy support for their employees, or developing their own literacy and numeracy initiatives.
- Quarterly funding rounds instead of monthly funding rounds. Applications will be due the first Friday of August, November, February and May.
- There will now be a single application process. There will not be a needs analysis (part A) and programme (part B) application.
- There will be a requirement for a minimum of 50 employees to receive tuition. Employers with less than 50 employees can contact the TEC Literacy and Numeracy Employer Advisor who can direct employers to TEOs that can deliver funded Workplace Literacy programmes.
The Adult Literacy and Numeracy Assessment Tool will be available for use during 2010. To access it, participating employees will be required to have a National Student Number (NSN). The TEC will require employee NSNs to be reported for monitoring purposes once the Adult Literacy and Numeracy Assessment Tool is available. The TEC will provide advice regarding these processes.
Employers wishing to access Workplace Literacy funding must submit an application by the first Friday of August, November, February and May.
Please contact the TEC Literacy and Numeracy Employer Advisor to discuss your business needs. The Literacy and Numeracy Employer Advisor can be contacted through the TEC Service Centre (please insert "Literacy and Numeracy Employer Advisor" in the subject line).
Requirements for employers
To apply for funding, employers must provide literacy and numeracy training to a minimum of 50 employees.
The Literacy and Numeracy Employer Advisor can provide advice to employers with fewer than 50 employees who want to participate in literacy and numeracy training in their workplace. Training can be accessed through a funded TEO.
Requirements for a Workplace Literacy programme
The TEC expects employers to demonstrate that their programme will:
- provide literacy and numeracy training to a minimum of 50 employees over a 12 month period, either in house or by contracting a TEO of their choice
- provide a structured programme of workplace literacy and numeracy of at least 40 contact hours over a period of 10 to 40 weeks
- use appropriately qualified and experienced literacy and numeracy tutors
- use formal assessment to measure literacy and numeracy gain, and maintain auditable records of named employee participation and learning gain
- have an explicit focus on literacy and numeracy development linked to the individual workplace context, employers must ensure that:
- a workplace analysis is completed as part of the preparation
- they have the ability to develop a coherent customised learning programme
- there is senior management leadership and commitment in the enterprise
- there is strategic consideration of changing business practices and in-house training to contribute to improving employees workplace literacy and numeracy
- receive funding for a maximum of two years, if a second cohort of learners is desired, and
- lead to the development of a sustainable employee literacy and numeracy support programme within the business at the conclusion of this programme.
Requirements for employees
Eligible employees must:
- be New Zealand citizens or permanent residents
- not be full-time students
- not be accessing Industry Training Organisation Embedded Literacy and Numeracy Project or Workplace Employee Targeted funding
- be employed in the paid workforce
- participate voluntarily
Literacy and numeracy programmes offered through funding from the Workplace Literacy Fund should be targeted towards employees with no or low qualifications or low literacy and numeracy skills, and must be provided free to the employees.
Funding information
Employers will need to include the proposed cost of their programme in their application form. The TEC Literacy and Numeracy Employer Advisor will provide support to employers who want to develop an application for funding.
Submitting an application form
There will be four funding rounds per year for employers starting from August 2009. Funding rounds will be held on the first Friday of the month in February, May, August and November for 2009 and 2010.
Employers must email completed applications to the Service Centre mailbox as per the following instructions.
- Completed application forms and any accompanying evidence must be emailed in PDF format to servicecentre@tec.govt.nz.
- Please ensure that the email subject line contains: Workplace Literacy Funding Application for Employers
- Applications not submitted on the form provided by the TEC will not be considered. Applications received after 5pm on the dates stated above will be considered in the next funding round
Timeline for 2009/10
Applications due to the TEC Service Centre on the first Friday of each August, November, February and May.
Decisions on applications made and funding allocations communicated to employers – approximately three weeks after submission of applications.
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