Frequently asked questions

Why should we be doing it?
How can we get things started?
How should we sell it to our workforce?
What do we need to bear in mind?
So what else do we need to bear in mind?
What sort of courses can we run?
Where will it happen?

Why should we be doing it?

• To link into IiP applications/renewals
• To prepare employees/give them confidence about undertaking NVQ programmes
• To support employees already on NVQs and other job specific qualifications who may be struggling with the literacy and numeracy linked to the vocational aspects of their training
• To introduce H&S, Food Hygiene, etc.
• To support induction, eg. give out Spelling/Numeracy dictionaries specific to your workplace
• To solve quality issues, eg. cuts down on errors
• To improve customer service eg improves communication, increases participation at meetings, increases suggestions
• To support introduction of new technology eg. facilitates company change
• To increase understanding of/reduce queries about payslips, holiday entitlement and pensions (basic numeracy skills)
• To increase staff morale, cut back on absenteeism and lessen staff turnover
• To give employees the skills needed for internal promotion

How can we get things started?

• Display Pledge certificate in public areas to demonstrate your commitment (where your employees AND your customers can see it)
• Mention during STAFF INDUCTION/APPRAISAL that your organisation has “signed the Pledge”
• Promote basic skills support positively
• Feature in IN-HOUSE NEWSLETTERS
• Circulate information with PAYSLIPS
• Hold BASIC SKILLS AWARENESS RAISING sessions for Union representatives, supervisors, middle management, etc.
• Run SHORT COURSES for ALL employees on specific topics during which those with basic skills needs will be given an opportunity to find out what other support is on offer (eg. 6 hour course on completing Accident Report Forms to support insurance claims – transport company)
• Arrange a taster day on LEARNING AT WORK DAY during Adult Learners’ Week (May)
• Start a LIBRARY AT WORK or invite MOBILE LIBRARY to visit
• Encourage employees to become MENTORS
• Link into BUSINESS IN THE COMMUNITY schemes (eg. where employees give up part of their lunch-hour to read on a one-to-one basis with school children)
• Circulate information with PAYSLIPS
• Hold BASIC SKILLS AWARENESS RAISING sessions for Union representatives, supervisors, middle management, etc.
• Run SHORT COURSES for ALL employees on specific topics during which those with basic skills needs will be given an opportunity to find out what other support is on offer (eg. 6 hour course on completing Accident Report Forms to support insurance claims – transport company)
• Arrange a taster day on LEARNING AT WORK DAY during Adult Learners’ Week (May)
• Start a LIBRARY AT WORK or invite MOBILE LIBRARY to visit
• Encourage employees to become MENTORS
• Link into BUSINESS IN THE COMMUNITY schemes (eg. where employees give up part of their lunch-hour to read on a one-to-one basis with school children)
• Use the SHOUT IT OUT/NO PROBLEM? play to encourage large employers to get the message
• Prepare pack of resources for independent learning (eg. Forest Enterprise employees who work from their vans, rather than offices)
• Map basic skills standards to industry standards, using BSA’s “Getting the Basics Right…….” series of mapping documents  

How should we sell it to our workforce?

• Stress it is FURTHER EDUCATION (advanced), not RE-EDUCATION (regressed)
• Use Trade Union Learning Representatives if your organisation is unionised
• Use incentives -  learn in work time, bonuses
• Offer accreditation
• Make learning relevant to the workplace
• Use I.C.T.
• Run ‘Open Days’ & ‘Taster’ sessions (allow employees to meet tutors/take away some of the barriers)

What do we need to bear in mind?

• Offer courses at times to suit your business and your employees (eg before/after shift, lunch-hours)
• Will the course take place in work’s time/individual’s time/hour for an hour?
• What you call the courses you offer – “basic skills” can be a turn-off.  Consider “Effective Communication at Work”, “English, E-mail and the Internet”, “NVQ Support Workshop”, “Practical Maths and the Internet”, “Modern Maths”, “Understanding your Payslip”, Effective Writing Skills at Work”, “Effective Communication Skills for Team Work”, “Effective Communication Skills for Supervisors”, “Effective Instruction at Work”, “Measuring and Calculation at Work”, “Maths for Statistical Process Control”.
• Who will deliver courses?
• Quality of delivery
• How will you measure success?
• How will you support be funded?
• Union Learning Representatives may find it easier to offer support to those with bs needs
• It’s not all about setting up courses

So what else do we need to bear in mind?

• What resources you will need (visit Basic Skills Cymru for lists of basic skills resources specifically related to the workplace)
• Is our own paperwork as readable as it could be? (“Making Reading Easier” leaflet and on-line readability package)
• Is our own paperwork as readable as it could be? (“Making Reading Easier” leaflet and on-line readability package)
• Welsh Language – would employees feel more comfortable having things explained in Welsh?
• Does our Staff Appraisal process lend itself to supporting those with basic skills needs?
• Could we improve our induction processes for those who are nervous about the technical language of our organisation (eg. give out Spelling Dictionary)
• Could we appoint a basic skills specialist to address workplace basic skills issues within our organisation?
• Could we train our own staff to deliver workplace basic skills support?

What sort of courses can we run?

• If you’re considering using IT, it should be as a tool to DELIVER BASIC SKILLS training
• EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION AT WORK – for supervisors who’ve been promoted from shopfloor and aren’t confident about giving verbal/written instructions, writing reports, filling in forms, using email, etc.
• Set up a COMPUTER CLUB leading to OCR Introduction to Computers with explicit basic skills as well as IT outcomes (eg. AB ELECTRONICS)
• CLUELESS ABOUT COMPUTERS run by BS practitioners as at Corus in Shotton
• SPELLWELL short 12 week course including personalised dictionary (eg. Cardiff BS Service and Windowbuild Spelling Dictionary)
• Run a “MOUSE TO MOUSE RESUSCITATION” course at Christmas for employees giving/receiving computers as presents (eg. LG Philips Displays)
• Set up an ENGLISH EMAIL AND THE INTERNET COURSE between REMOTE SITES, the focus of which would be to send email to fellow employees using correct spelling, grammar and punctuation
• Open a LEARNING CENTRE and offer one-to-one basic skills support to employees  

Where will it happen?

• MOBILE PROVISION – eg. converted mobile library provided by Fermanagh College & Deeside College
• Set up a CYBERCAFE, (as quoted by Margaret Murray, CBI at BSA Workplace Conference March 2002)
• At one LARGE LOCAL EMPLOYER where many local people have links and where contractors, cleaners, security staff, families etc. can attend
• Install LEARNDIRECT PCs in coffee shop, canteen, staff room, eg. Beaufort Park Hotel/Deeside College in Mold
• Set up a PARTNERSHIP LEARNING CENTRE in conjunction with LEARNDIRECT (eg. Xerox Mitcheldean)
• Set up a DEDICATED WORKPLACE BASIC SKILLS TRAINING CENTRE (eg. Greencore Pizza and AB Electronics, South Wales)
• Your TRAINING ROOM
• The CANTEEN!
• Where your employees feel comfortable!
• Where it would be possible to have access to PCs or laptops (Training Provider)