The Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR) through the Language, Literacy and Numeracy Section manages the Language, Literacy and Numeracy Program (LLNP). The Program has operated since January 2002 when the Literacy and Numeracy Training Program and the Advanced English for Migrants Program amalgamated to provide a more integrated management approach to addressing language, literacy and numeracy needs among jobseekers at the national level. This amalgamation resulted in the LLNP providing training in Literacy and Numeracy, Basic English, and Advanced English, including vocationally-specific courses, for the period January 2002 – June 2006.
The Program was introduced and implemented in the context of two major government policy initiatives, namely, Australians Working Together (AWT) which was announced in May 2001 and aimed to improve pathways into employment for young people, mature age workers, Indigenous Australians and parents returning to the workforce; and the New Agenda for Multicultural Australia which was introduced in 1999, updated in 2003, and emphasised acquisition of English language competency as a civic duty and as a fundamental pre-requisite for achieving equality of opportunity and enabling Australia to achieve productive diversity.
A high-level review of the Program was conducted between August and November 2004 and resulted in proposed key improvements to the Program being discussed with training and assessment providers (TA Providers) in a national round of consultative meetings in February and March 2005. While the fundamental features of the 2002 - 2005-06 Program remain, a number of changes have been made to the 2006-07 – 2008-09 Program to re-focus crucial areas in order to improve educational outcomes and financial management and to streamline administration.
A request for tender was conducted in 2006 with new Providers being contracted for 3 years from 1 July 2006. The Budget provided for the Program for the years 2006-07 - 2008-09 is $170.5m.
The Program seeks to improve clients’ language, literacy and/or numeracy with the expectation that such improvements will enable them to participate more effectively in training or in the labour force and lead to greater gains for society in the longer term.
The Program provides language, literacy and numeracy assistance to those jobseekers who are experiencing significant disadvantage in the labour market due to low levels of language, literacy and/or numeracy.
The Program targets clients from non-English-speaking-backgrounds (NESB) needing language-only training at three different levels, Initial, Basic and Advanced, including those seeking International English Language Testing System (IELTS) and Occupational English Test (OET) training. The Program also targets clients with literacy and/or numeracy training needs at two levels (Basic and Advanced). Training is also available to those clients needing specific Advanced vocationally-oriented training.
The Program caters for disadvantaged client groups including Indigenous people, young males, people with disabilities, isolated female clients and/or cases of aged based workforce exclusion.
All clients must be of working age (generally 15 to 64 years) and be registered with Centrelink and not a full time student. Clients must also satisfy eligibility criteria relating to benefit and visa status.
The Program provides high-quality, flexible training to eligible clients and caters for the increasing demand for English language training as well as the continuing need for literacy and numeracy training and vocationally-oriented training. Training is normally delivered face-to-face although a small proportion of training is delivered by distance-mode. Clients are placed in the appropriate stream of training with the appropriate training focus following a face-to-face or distance-mode pre-training assessment of language, literacy and numeracy competencies.
Language, literacy and/or numeracy training delivered under the Program may be vocationally contextualised within each stream of training. In addition, delivery of Advanced vocationally-oriented training must meet vocationally specific requirements. Where such training occurs, Providers contextualise training or use vocational competencies that meet the needs of local businesses and/or industry.
Around Australia, registered training organisations have been contracted to deliver assessment and training services under the LLNP. These include community organisations, TAFEs, private providers, and universities.
Referring Agencies, currently Centrelink and Job Network Members, refer clients to an LLNP provider. Clients attend training on a part-time (minimum of 10 hours and maximum of 19 hours a week) or a full-time basis (minimum 20 hours per week). Training is delivered in blocks of 160 hours (or up to 450 hours for advanced vocationally-oriented courses). Select Provider for assistance in finding your local Centrelink Customer Service Centre and associated LLNP Provider.
Poor language, literacy and numeracy skills have been shown to be a major barrier to getting and keeping a job. If your skills are not as good as they could be, it makes it harder for you to get a job and to do a lot of everyday things. Things such as banking, reading bus and train timetables, filling in a form without asking for help, writing notes and letters to your family and friends, or applying for a job. Improving your reading and writing skills is also a great way to boost your confidence.
DEEWR Contact
Director
Language, Literacy and Numeracy Section
PO Box 9880
Canberra City ACT 2601
Email: LLNP Help Desk
Phone (02) 6240 7399
Fax (02) 6123 7077
This page was last updated on Wednesday