Employer-led Workplace Literacy and Numeracy Fund

Employer-led Workplace Literacy and Numeracy Fund

Last updated 28 January 2026
Last updated 28 January 2026

Employer-led Workplace Literacy and Numeracy (EWLN) Fund funding supports the provision of literacy and numeracy programmes for employees to increase their literacy and numeracy skills, and to contribute to workplace productivity.

On this page:

We fund provision to:

  • increase the literacy and numeracy skills of employees, and
  • contribute to workplace productivity by providing and evaluating literacy and numeracy learning in the workplace.

These pages relate to Employer-led (EWLN) funding. For information about the TEO-led Workplace Literacy and Numeracy Fund, see TEO-led Workplace Literacy and Numeracy Fund.

The EWLN Fund funding helps employers to:

  • provide high-quality literacy and numeracy programmes that are customised for their workplace 
  • address productivity problems due to employees’ literacy and numeracy skill levels
  • raise adults’ literacy and numeracy skills
  • increase opportunities for adults to engage in literacy and numeracy learning, particularly those in low-skilled employment, and 
  • improve the quality and relevance of provision, including the ability to identify learner need and learning gain.

From research, employer reports and direct employer engagement, we know that high-quality literacy and numeracy provision in the workplace has positive effects for employers, employees and their families.

EWLN programmes are aimed at employees who have low literacy and/or numeracy skills. High-quality programmes can include: 

  • describing the workplace issues, how these impact on productivity and how the impact is measured  
  • outlining the programme content and how it will address and improve the workplace issues
  • assessing each learner’s literacy and numeracy skills at the start of the programme using the online adaptive option of the Literacy and Numeracy for Adults Assessment Tool (LNAAT), and 
  • understanding and reporting on individual outcomes for employees that contribute to a higher-performing workplace.

Apply for funding

For a detailed guide on how to apply for funding, including information for project managers of employer-led programme consortia, see the Employer-led Workplace Literacy and Numeracy Fund Application Guide (PDF 706 KB).

Use the following application forms:

There are set deadlines for applications. Deadlines for 2026 are:

  • Friday 13 February 2026
  • Friday 17 April 2026
  • Friday 19 June 2026
  • Friday 21 August 2026
  • Friday 16 October 2026.

Funding for workplace literacy and numeracy provision by employers is agreed through a funding letter.

For more information on applying for funding, please contact our Customer Contact Team on 0800 601 301 or customerservice@tec.govt.nz.

Resources