An Australian Government program is providing literacy and numeracy training for apprentices for the first time in South Australia.

The Minister for Employment Participation, Brendan O’Connor, today visited the groundbreaking Workplace English Language and Literacy (WELL) project at Albert Park.

Leading Vocational Education, Employment and Training provider for the plumbing, electrical, electronics and refrigeration industries in South Australia PEER VEET has joined forces with Status Works to deliver the project which provides numeracy support to targeted apprentices.

The Program combines English language literacy and numeracy training – including information and communication technology – with vocational education and training.

Employers identify employees they believe will benefit from undertaking a program which combines English language, literacy and numeracy with vocational education and training.

The project is in its first year and will provide numeracy support training for 67 Australian Apprentices who PEER VEET have identified as being able to benefit from formal training.

“This training will help these apprentices to gain confidence, complete their Certificate III qualification and increase their skill levels,” Mr O’Connor said.

“Improved skill levels will also ensure employers retain skilled workers which are in demand in many industries.”

Resources developed for the WELL project will be made available via computer-based E-Learning so apprentices can learn at their own pace and at times that suit them.

The Australian Government will invest more than $15 million in WELL projects nationally this financial year with more than $1 million to be spent on projects in South Australia.

The WELL Program is part of the Australian Government’s Skilling Australia for the Future initiative.

29 July 2008