Employees completing the various ABET levels acquire essential communication skills. This is the reason that so many successful manufacturing companies invest in quality adult literacy training for their low-skilled and semi-skilled employees. They also outsource their ABET requirements to a specialist to ensure a successful outcome while they focus on their core activities.
ABET is more than just complying with the broad-based economic empowerment scorecard requirements. Although this is important and to which ABET makes a significant contribution, it is not the primary benefit of this type of training. The ABET levels are human capital. Thus, they are a vital component of any training and skills development programme of companies that employ low-skilled employees.
If undertaken correctly, the various ABET levels improve communication in the workplace. They start at pre-ABET and end at ABET Level 4. Employees who have completed the programme will be able to communicate effectively in English, the formal language of business. Bear in mind that many low skilled employees do not speak English as a home language. For many low-skilled and semi-skilled employees, English is the third or fourth language that they only use at work.
Many managers, supervisors and team leaders still incorrectly assume that their employees can speak, read and write in English. This is far from the truth. South Africa: languages spoken within households | Statista provides an accurate picture of the language preferences of South Africans. Note that English only accounts for the sixth most common home language at 8,1%. However, it is the second-most prevalent language spoken outside of homes at 16,6%. This is considering that it is also the formal language of learning and teaching, and it is used extensively in politics.
The various ABET levels
Employees will progress quickly and efficiently through the various ABET levels of a quality adult literacy training programme. As employees start acquiring and developing their English literacy skills, companies will start noticing a marked improvement in their performance. They are also more confident in their ability to communicate with their higher-ups and colleagues.
However, there are many manufacturers that still overlook the important role that effective communication plays in ensuring business success. This is considering the daily hustle and bustle in factories and plants. Companies are, thus, satisfied if their teams are merely communicating. They rather prioritise other areas that relate to the technical and operational aspects of the factory or plant. Scant regard is given to the quality of the reading, writing and listening skills of employees who receive instructions.
Yet, these skills enable workers to execute instructions correctly or follow messages to the best of their ability. If employees are functionally illiterate, there will still be misunderstandings on the factory floor. These lead to mistakes, missed deadlines, rework and waste. This is irrespective of how much companies invest in or dedicate time to leadership, managerial and communication training for senior staff (Refer to UNESCO’s formal definition of functional illiteracy: Functional literacy | Unesco IIEP Learning Portal). Functional illiteracy is also referred to as workplace illiteracy by many human resources practitioners. This is considering that functional illiteracy also hinders people’s ability to apply their English literacy skills to perform their jobs.
When managers, supervisors and project leaders communicate to their subordinates it is known as internal downward communication. A case in point is a manager informing staff of a new directive, regulations or protocols. It can be undertaken by written manuals, handbooks, memos, policies, or oral presentations. For this type of communication to be effective, employees need to be able to read and listen actively. Hence, the importance of the ABET levels.
ABET levels facilitate internal communication
ABET levels also facilitate other internal communication types.
This includes internal upward communication from subordinates to a manager, supervisor or team or project leader. This type of communication can be undertaken verbally or in writing. Without this internal upward communication, business leaders will not have a true understanding of the company’s operations.
However, low skilled and semi-skilled employees who cannot write or communicate effectively in the spoken word are unable to engage effectively with their higher-ups. This, in turn, hinders two-way communication. Superiors are, thus, unable to obtain the feedback that they need to improve operations, in terms of, among others, productivity, efficiency, accuracy and safety.
Considering the importance of this type of communication, enterprising companies will hold regular team meetings. In these meetings, employees – even those who perform mundane and general tasks as most unskilled workers do – are asked to provide feedback. They may even be invited to participate in decision making. This boosts morale while also providing an ideal opportunity to ensure that everyone is aligned to the company’s vision, mission and ethos. According to research, employees who feel a deep connection to their place of work are up to 15% more productive than those who do not.
The ABET levels also strengthen internal lateral communication. This is the type of communication that occurs between employees when working as part of teams; in divisions; or when completing a project. It, therefore, occurs more often than the other types of communication that takes place in an organisation. It is critical for employee engagement and productivity.
ABET also facilitates external communication. Some employees may be expected to communicate with customers, prospects, vendors or partners. It is, therefore, vital that they can do so properly. This also safeguards a company’s reputation in markets and industries.
Progressing through the ABET levels
Progressing through the ABET levels, your employees will gradually learn how to read, as well as communicate effectively in the written and spoken word.
ABET is geared at those employees who have not completed their basic education. This means that they may not have the English literacy skills that they need to perform at their peak.
The ability to coordinate efforts to manufacture a product is dependent upon effective communication. Clear and regular communication between team members and among workers and their higher-ups ensures efficiency. For example, workers need to inform their colleagues and managers that a machine on the production line is not working according to expectation.
They also need to be told what to do in the interim while the problem is being resolved. This is to avoid confusion, bottlenecks or further aggravating the problem. Industrious companies may even expect employees to also take ownership of the problem and, in this way, help to find workable solutions. This is considering their intricate understanding of their individual roles and how they fit into the production process.
Sound communication that flows easily among the various levels of a business also facilitates cohesion in a manufacturing environment. When there is unity in the workplace, employees feel engaged with their work which, in turn, again increases productivity. Employees need to have access to people, knowledge and resources to do their jobs well, or else they will not be motivated to give their best.
Importantly, efficient communication also prevents accidents in environments. This is especially the case in environments in which employees operate machinery that can cause injuries if they are operated in an incorrect manner.
ABET levels impart communication skills
The various ABET levels impart communication skills incrementally. By the time your employees have completed the last level of adult literacy training, namely ABET Level 4, they are functionally literate. ABET Level 4 is equivalent to a National Qualifications Framework Level 1. Employees, therefore, also possess the skills that they need to continue learning so that they can gain new or refine existing proficiencies. This helps to instil a culture of lifelong learning in the workplace.
Enterprising companies know that poor communication can be damaging. It manifests in excessive waste, poor product quality and late deliveries, among others. This leads to dissatisfied customers and loss of business in extenuating circumstances. Bear in mind that employees who do not understand clear instructions from their team leaders, supervisors and managers are unable to complete quality work and by deadline.
ABET levels improve business profitability
The various ABET levels improve business profitability.
According to some experts, improving communication in the workplace can boost the bottom line by more than 10%. Meanwhile, companies with very effective communication practices achieve more than a 40% higher total return to shareholders. This is compared to those companies that have the poorest communication. Bear in mind the role that effective communication plays in stronger decision making; quicker problem solving; and earlier warning of potential problems. This improves overall business performance.
However, there are also other ways that effective communication positively impacts the bottom line.
Studies have shown that when employees are informed because they understand company communication, absenteeism declines. Conversely, employees who are not engaged and unsatisfied in companies where communication is poor will tend to find excuses not to come to work. Usually, a high percentage of sickness and absenteeism rates in a company can be attributed to poor communication practices. It is reported that absenteeism costs the South African economy between R12-billion and R16-billion a year while others believe that the price could be even higher at R19,144-billion annually. This is equivalent to about 15% of employees being absent on any given day.
In extenuating circumstances, employees who are not engaged and satisfied will eventually leave their employers. Replacing employees can be very costly. It carries a price tag of up to three times the employees’ salary. Bear in mind the direct exit costs of an employee who leaves and those that a company incurs when recruiting and training new hires. This excludes the time it takes for employees to become acquainted with company-specific procedures and protocol, as well as its unique culture. Studies have shown that companies with effective communication strategies are 50% more likely to report turnover levels below the industry average.
Ineffective communication in the workplace also leads to tension and conflicts. This is especially in high performance environments where there is very little scope for errors and consequences of mistakes are very high. The negative impact of conflict can include work disruptions, decreased productivity, project failure, absenteeism, turnover and termination.
ABET levels impart workplace literacy
The ABET levels impart workplace literacy skills within a reasonable timeframe. This is important considering the importance of these fundamental skills.
When employees have completed ABET Level 4, they are good communicators in both the written and spoken word. They are, therefore, able to communicate a clear message via the appropriate channel, whether verbally or in writing. Moreover, they ensure that the message is properly received. They are also cognisant about the words, tone and body language that they use to convey a message accurately.
Because they are active listeners, they understand the messages that are being relayed to them, whether it is in person, via the telephone or email. This also enables them to engage constructively with fellow workers.
A leading provider of all ABET levels
Triple E Training is South Africa’s leading provider of all ABET levels, namely from pre-adult literacy training through to Level 4. The company also provides other types of adult training that bridges ABET Level 4 with occupational trades at a National Qualifications Framework level.
Many thousands of employees have progressed quickly and efficiently through the company’s various ABET levels to obtain workplace literacy skills.
Triple E Training’s ABET levels are accredited by the Council for Quality Assurance in General and Further Education and Training (Home – Umalusi).
Learn more about Triple E Training and our quality ABET levels. www.eee.co.za
