The revised Australian Core Skills Framework (ACSF) has been released and includes a new ACSF Pre Level 1 Supplement. Further information can be found on the Downloads page.
The Australian Core Skills Framework (ACSF) describes levels of performance in the five core skills of:
The 2006 international Adult Literacy and Life Skills Survey (ALLS) found that approximately 40 per cent of employed and 60 per cent of unemployed Australians had poor or very poor (Level 1 or 2) English language, literacy and numeracy (LLN) skills. Level 3 is regarded as the “minimum required for individuals to meet the complex demands of everyday life and work in the emerging knowledge-based economy” (p.5, Australian Bureau of Statistics 4228.0 - Adult Literacy and Life Skills Survey, Summary Results, Australia, 2006). Improving LLN skills contributes to more effective participation in training or in the labour force with associated benefits for both individuals and society.
Furthermore, each new role and responsibility an individual takes on will require new or enhanced core skills. A range of strategies is therefore needed to adapt to changing circumstances and new challenges.
The ACSF provides a rich, detailed picture of real- life performance in adult learning, and English LLN. It draws on current theory and is informed by the extensive expertise of specialist practitioners in these fields.
The ACSF provides:
a consistent national approach to the identification of the core skills requirements in diverse personal, community, work and training contexts.
a common reference point for describing and discussing performance in the five core skill areas.
Professional Development (PD) Workshops
PD workshops on the ACSF are now available for LLN specialists and mainstream vocational education and training practitioners. Face-to-face workshops will be conducted in all capital cities and at a number of larger regional centres across Australia. Online ACSF training will also be available for remote participants. More information, and the workshop schedule, can be found on Workers’ Educational Association (WEA) Illawarra’s website.
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