International Workforce Literacy Review: Australia
Appendix K: Commonwealth LNN Programme details
Language Literacy Numeracy Programme
The Language Literacy Numeracy Programme provides training of 10 to 19 hours a week and an additional 7,300 places will be targeted at migrants who need English language training for employment purposes. The LLNP delivers state-based accredited course content that is mapped to the indicators of the National Reporting System. All clients receive a pre-training assessment and NRS ranking against 5 macro-skills—reading, writing, oracy, numeracy and learning strategies. At the completion of 160 hours of training they are expected to have raised a level across two indicators. The programme has a national verification process that monitors consistency of effort and reporting.
Adult Migrant Education Programme
Refugee and humanitarian entrants under the age of 25 with low levels of schooling are eligible for up to 910 hours of English language tuition. Those over 25 are eligible for up to 610 hours of tuition, and other migrants are eligible for up to 510 hours of tuition.
The programme seeks to provide vocational level English language skills to participants. The programme is under review, with critics calling for more targeted vocational outcomes and a possible change of curriculum. A paper and face-to-face consultations are scheduled for June 2007.
Skills vouchers
In October 2006 the Commonwealth announced a range of skills initiatives worth $837m.over five years, beginning January 2007. In its announcement of these measures the Commonwealth stated that a major element in the package is Work Skills Vouchers, which will enable people aged over 25 years who do not have year 12 or equivalent qualifications to be eligible for vouchers valued up to $3,000. This will assist them to cover the costs of studying year 12 or equivalent courses, or vocational and technical education courses at certificate II level. Up to 30,000 vouchers will be provided each year, which will be redeemable at public, private or community training providers. The certificate II vocational courses to be funded will include all accredited literacy/numeracy and basic education courses.
