VET News

National Foundation Skills Framework 2022-2032

In August 2020, all Australian governments agreed through the Heads of Agreement for Skills Reform to improving the VET sector.  One of the agreed priorities is to provide stronger support for foundation skills and ensuring access for all Australians with low levels of language, literacy, numeracy, and digital literacy. 

The National Foundation Skills Framework  (the Framework) sets out a 10 year model for collective action by governments working with stakeholders to improve the foundation skills of Australian adults.  It recognises the critical role foundation skills play in equipping Australian adults to participate confidently in the  community, the workplace, and in education and training and provides a transparent approach for Australian governments and other stakeholders to achieve the aspirational vision that ensures that Australians can access quality education and training to continuously develop the foundation skills they need  to actively and confidently participate in the economy and the community.

Foundation skills are core skills or competencies that underpin workforce  participation, productivity, and social inclusion.  

They include: 

• English language, literacy, numeracy  and digital (LLND) – listening, speaking,  reading, writing, numeracy (the use of  mathematical ideas) and digital literacy;  and

• Employability skills, such as initiative  and innovation, planning and organising, problem solving and teamwork.

This Framework complements work being undertaken by all governments to improve foundation skills for all Australians through the early childhood, schools and tertiary sectors.  

Outcomes-based Foundation Skills Framework

The Framework itself looks at:

• why Foundation Skills matter.
• why an outcomes-based Foundation Skills Framework is needed
• A national approach
• the development and structure of the Framework, and
• monitoring and evaluating the Framework

Access the Framework here.

Date posted Apr 21, 2022