Language, literacy and numeracy: Information for Western Australian vocational education and training practitioners

The Department of Training and Workforce Development supports accredited courses: CAVSS, CGEA, and USIQ. We also monitor national language, literacy and numeracy (LLN) policy and initiatives.
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Good teaching in adult literacy is founded on an understanding of language and literacy as social practice. The student should be regarded as a user of language, rather than a learner of language. 

Teaching should be organised around the student's needs to use language in particular ways, but will also involve teaching the technicalities of reading, writing and mathematics. 

Reading and writing can also include the ability to access and understand information that is available digitally and use technology to communicate.
 

The following information and resources are provided for WA vocational education and training (VET) practitioners and training providers.

Course in Applied Vocational Study Skills (CAVSS)

CAVSS is a framework for teaching adult literacy and numeracy skills in direct application to VET training activities, and is a is a teaching methodology rather than a course.

CAVSS is designed to be delivered in an integrated manner, in a dual enrolment with a ‘parent’ vocational training course or training package qualification, 

The CAVSS methodology is team-teaching, where the vocational lecturer and the literacy lecturer are teaching the same group of students in the same place at the same time. This approach ensures that literacy and numeracy support is relevant and limited to the competencies in the VET qualification.

A teacher's handbook to support CAVSS delivery is available — Please email literacy@dtwd.wa.gov.au to request a copy. 

For information regarding funding for CAVSS, please contact our Training Markets team via email to training.markets@dtwd.wa.gov.au.

CAVSS course accreditation 

The course – 52823WA – was endorsed by the WA Training Accreditation Council (TAC) on 11 May 2017. CAVSS accreditation expires on 30 April 2023. 

For further information including CAVSS business rules, how to register, and contact details for enquiries please look at the:

  • CAVSS Business rules; and
  • essential information about CAVSS Business rules.

View these documents here

You can also view these CAVSS team teaching videos.

Permission to deliver CAVSS 

All RTOs must apply in writing to South Metropolitan TAFE for permission to deliver CAVSS. To request permission please contact the Manager, VET Curriculum and Quality Assurance: 

E: RAC@smtafe.wa.edu.au
T: 08 9442 8337

Please note, approval by South Metropolitan TAFE to deliver CAVSS does not guarantee the Department will fund an RTO to deliver the course. RTOs must apply to the Department for funding in accordance with the business rules (see Section 2 of the business rules eligibility criteria for funding to deliver CAVSS).

CAVSS delivery outside of WA 

For RTOs delivering CAVSS outside of WA; changes to the business rules may be negotiated, where necessary, to meet local systems including student management, finance and auditing requirements. 

Where this is the case, RTOs should contact the Manager Training Curriculum Services. 

T: 08 6551 5362 
E: trainingpackages@dtwd.wa.gov.au

Certificates in General Education for Adults (CGEA)

CGEA qualifications offer an alternative to school-based educational credentials; and are suitable for adult learners with disrupted, limited or no formal education who need to improve their LLN or computer skills.

CGEA has a strong emphasis on improving self-confidence and developing a learning plan, so that participants explore further training options or vocational pathways. 

  • At the lower levels, the CGEA covers beginning reading, writing and maths.
  • At the higher levels; the reading, writing and maths content more closely resembles Years 10 and 11 school curricula.

If a student is a beginner reader or writer, it may take a considerable time to complete each of the levels in the CGEA. This is because all together, these certificates cover the content from 11 years of schooling.

CGEA Course codes

The CGEA is offered in TAFE colleges, usually as both full time and part time courses. A number of other community-based RTOs and schools also offer the CGEA.

 The five course codes are:

  • 22471VIC Course in Initial General Education for Adults; 
  • 24765VIC Certificate I in General Education for Adults (Introductory); 
  • 22472VIC Certificate I in General Education for Adults; 
  • 2473VIC Certificate II in General Education for Adults; and 
  • 22474VIC Certificate III in General Education for Adults. 

Course accreditation

The CGEA curriculum is accredited in Victoria until 30 June 2023. It is freely available under Creative Commons. 

To access the CGEA curriculum, please contact: 

Curriculum Maintenance Manager (CMM) Victoria University 
PO Box 14428 
Melbourne VIC 8001 

T: 03 9919 5300 or 03 9919 5302 
E: sicmm.generalstudies@vu.edu.au

Course in Underpinning Skills for Industry Qualifications (USIQ)

USIQ aims to address the different categories of students who may require additional time and specialised teaching to successfully complete an industry specific vocational qualification.

Through USIQ; students have the opportunity to develop, consolidate and apply a range of mathematical, technological, cognitive, social communication and problem solving skills required to be competent in the workplace.

For further information regarding funding for USIQ, please contact our Training Markets team via email to training.markets@dtwd.wa.gov.au.

Eligibility for USIQ

Students who are eligible for this course have already enrolled in a vocational qualification and been identified as having one or more indicators of additional educational need. 

To meet this need; the USIQ teacher provides contextualised, structured and targeted learning to support and enable the students to acquire and demonstrate the necessary skills to complete their qualification. 

Course accreditation

The USIQ course does not result in a separate qualification. 

USIQ (52832WA) was endorsed by the Western Australian Training Accreditation Council on 10 August 2017. USIQ accreditation expires on 30 April 2023. 

For further information including USIQ business rules, how to register, and contact details for enquiries, please refer to the:

  • USIQ business rules; and
  • essential information about the USIQ business rules.

View these documents here

Permission to deliver USIQ 

All RTOs must apply in writing to South Metropolitan TAFE for permission to deliver USIQ. To request permission, please contact the Manager VET Curriculum and Quality Assurance:

T: 08 9442 8337
E: RAC@smtafe.wa.edu.au

Please note: approval by SMT to deliver USIQ does not guarantee the Department will fund an RTO to deliver the course. RTOs must apply to the Department for funding, in accordance with the business rules (see Section 2).

USIQ delivery outside of WA 

For RTOs delivering USIQ outside of WA; changes to the business rules may be negotiated where necessary to meet local systems, including student management, finance and auditing requirements. 

Where this is the case, RTOs should contact the Manager, Training Curriculum Services via email to trainingpackages@dtwd.wa.gov.au or telephone 08 6551 5086.

 

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