We fund Employer-led Workplace Literacy and Numeracy (EWLN) provision to:

• raise adults’ literacy and numeracy skills, and
• contribute to workplace productivity by providing and evaluating literacy and numeracy learning in the workplace.

This information relates to Employer-led Workplace Literacy and Numeracy funding. For information about TEO-led WLN funding, see TEO-led Workplace Literacy and Numeracy Fund.

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 and/or English as a second language. 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 675 KB).

Use the following application forms:

• Employer-Led Workplace Literacy and Numeracy Fund Application Form (DOCX 471 KB)
• Employer-led Workplace Literacy and Numeracy Fund Consortium Employer Participants Form (DOCX 445 KB)

There are set deadlines for applications. The deadlines for 2024 are:

• Friday 9 February 2024
• Friday 12 April 2024
• Friday 14 June 2024
• Friday 9 August 2024
• Friday 11 October 2024.

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 Group on 0800 601 301 or customerservice@tec.govt.nz.

Resources

Key resources for EWLN-funded programmes include: 

• Literacy and Numeracy for Adults Assessment Tool
• Guidelines for using the Literacy and Numeracy for Adults Assessment Tool
• Starting Points Assessment Guide
• Skills Highway – information for employers
• Pathways Awarua – free resources for learners to improve reading, writing, listening and numeracy skills
• Ako Aotearoa – resources to help tutors and those establishing programmes in their workplace