VET News

Improving Foundation Skills Through International Research

Australia will rejoin a comprehensive group of OECD countries and the Programme for the International Assessment of Adult Competencies (PIAAC), which provides up-to-date evidence on literacy, numeracy and adaptive problem-solving skills.

Results from the international research will provide a better understanding of how many Australians require help with foundation skills and how much help, enabling better targeted support.

The PIAAC results will give a sense of the level of capability across literacy, numeracy and digital skills, and where individuals have multiple gaps.

The PIAAC results will complement the Jobs and Skills Australia (JSA) led national study of adult literacy, numeracy and digital literacy skills (the Foundation Skills Study), which the Government announced in the October 2022-23 Budget.

The PIAAC and JSA findings will help create a national evidence base to assist governments, policymakers and program managers to improve foundation skills access and delivery.

The findings will also be of interest to a range of other key stakeholders including academics and researchers, peak bodies and employers and industry bodies.

Minister for Skills and Training, the Hon. Brendan O'Connor said, “As part of our plan to leave no one behind, we are investing in Commonwealth programs to improve access for any Australian who needs help, as well as negotiating with states and territories to create a system where there are no wrong doors for people seeking support."

See the full Ministers' Media Centre Release here.

Date posted Jan 18, 2024