Triple E Training, a leading accredited training provider, is helping industry develop a robust pipeline of skills that is needed to rebuild the economy following the devastating impact of the COVID-19 virus on the livelihoods of so many South Africans. This accredited training provider’s foundational learning competence or “FLC” training is also giving hope to numerous young adults who want to pursue trades as careers but have limited basic numbers and English literacy skills.
There is a high demand for skilled and experienced trades people and artisans in South Africa. This need will only increase as the country prepares to embark on a large public works programme as part of state’s post-COVID-19 recovery strategy. However, many people will not be able to pursue these opportunities simply because they are not proficient in basic English and maths.Without these foundational skills, they are unable to grasp the theoretical aspects of occupational training at a National Qualifications Framework or “NQF” level 2 through to 4. They will also not be able to write their trade tests in English, which is the official language of learning and business. This is despite being very proficient in their respective trades.
Meanwhile, this situation also hinders companies from efficiently implementing their skills development objectives. A skilled and experienced workforce is essential to retain a competitive edge. The situation also aggravates the skills crisis that South Africa continues to face, mainly due to a legacy of the past and a failing basic education system.The worrying state of the country’s school system is evidenced by the high illiteracy and semi-literacy levels in the country and South Africa’s constant underperformance in science, technology, engineering and maths or “STEM” subjects. This has also been to the detriment of technically orientated industries, such as engineering, civil-construction and building.
However, quality foundational learning competence or “FLC” training is bringing respite to businesses. It is also unlocking opportunities for many young South African adults who want to pursue trades as careers, especially at a time when infrastructure has been placed firmly on the agenda. This follows many years of decline in government spending on essential service delivery infrastructure. The anticipated large public works programme will also help alleviate the country’s very high unemployment levels, especially among young adults. In the first quarter of this year, youth unemployment stood at 46%. This is of major concern and certainly motivates the need to accelerate the rollout of state’s large infrastructure development programme to create jobs for the many South Africans who are unemployed. It is also expected to provide many opportunities for skills development and workplace training. This includes trades, professions or occupations resulting from work-based learning.
Working with the private sector, government has identified more than 200 infrastructure projects for implementation. Together, they total R2,7-trillion.
State has already gazetted 50 of these Strategic Integrated Projects or “SIPs”, valued at R340-million, and an additional 12 special projects. They relate to water and sanitation, energy, transport, information and communications technology, as well as agriculture and agro-processing infrastructure. This is addition to human settlements, which also provide ample opportunity for skilled tradespeople, ranging from bricklayers and plasterers through to plumbers and carpenters.
Also, of interest are the proposed mega and smartcities that are being planned in the country. These will stimulate both the civil-engineering construction and building sectors.In particular, the latter has been severely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, with many large private property developments having been postponed or cancelled following the measures implemented by government to stop the spread of the virus. They include large industrial, commercial, retail and hospitality projects all related to industries that have been severely impacted by the outbreak of the virus.
Government claims that many of the projects outlined in its Economic Reconstruction and Recovery Plan are already being implemented.
However, industry has expressed its concerns that these projects are taking time to reach a “shovel-ready” state. Bear in mind that the construction industry was already on its knees before the breakout of the COVID-19 virus in the country. As a result, many construction companies started retrenching their employees and placed workplace training on the backburner. As the industry begins to recover, it stands to reason that it will recommence workplace training and skills development.
Foundational learning competence or “FLC” lays down concrete foundations for vocational training
Accredited training provider helps bridge the skills divide with quality foundational learning competence training or “FLC”
This foundational learning competence or “FLC” instruction is being offered by Triple E Training, a leading accredited training provider. It is part of the company’s comprehensive range of adult training. This also includes adult basic education and training or “ABET” and Rapid Effective Accelerated Life Long Learning or “REALL” courses. These adult training packages, together with foundational learning competence or “FLC”, have been helping participants in many industries boost their competitive edge for many years. This is by raising the proficiencies of low skilled workers so that they can perform their jobs efficiently and productively.This is in addition to preparing low skilled workers for further learning to develop, as well as hone and refine their respective proficiencies.
There is still confusion around the difference between adult basic education and training or “ABET” and foundational learning competence or “FLC”. Adult basic education and training or “ABET” imparts Basic English literacy and numbers skills to employees who have not completed their schooling. This adult training is geared at improving low skilled employees’ performance in the workplace. Foundational learning competence or “FLC”, on the other hand, teaches people Basic English and numbers skills so that they can embark on further workplace training.
Triple E Training’s foundational learning competence or “FLC” is a part qualification that consists of communication and maths literacy as subjects. This adult training equips both new entrants to industry and existing employees with the basic English literacy and numbers skills they need to excel in workplace training and in their occupations.
Notably, our foundational learning competence or“FLC” only needs to be done once by employees as it spans all trades up to NQF level 4. This means that when learners have completed our foundational learning competence or “FLC” training, they are able to continue to any trade or occupation up to NQF level 4.
Educational attainment among individuals aged 25–64 by population group, 2016
| Highest level of education | Number and percent | Black African | Coloured | Indian/Asian | White | Total |
| No schooling | Number and percent | 1 382 153 (91,8%) | 67 135 (4,5%) | 18 800 (1,3%) | 37 381(2,5%) | 1 505 469 |
| Pre-school | Number and percent | 18 448 (91,0%) | 1 379 (6,8%) | 191 (0,9%) | 257(1,3%) | 20 276 |
| Primary | Number and percent | 2 928 677 (86,1%) | 408 773 (12,0%) | 41 334 (1,2%) | 22 879(0,7%) | 3 401 663 |
| Secondary | Number and percent | 13 359 575 (78,6%) | 1 720 847 (10,1%) | 538 247 (3,2%) | 1 384 799(8,1%) | 17 003 467 |
| Post-secondary | Number and percent | 1 763 207 (58,5%) | 194 589 (6,5%) | 158 919 (5,3%) | 898 018(29,8%) | 3 014 733 |
| Total | Number and percent | 19 452 060 (78,0%) | 2 392 723 (9,6%) | 757 491 (3,0%) | 2 343 334(9,4%) | 24 945 608 (100,0%) |
Educational attainment among individuals aged 25–64 by gender, 2016
| No schooling | Pre-schooling | Primary | Secondary | Post-secondary | |
| Female | 55,3% | 52,7% | 50,6% | 50,9% | 52,0% |
| Male | 44,7% | 47,3% | 49,4% | 49,1% | 48,0% |
Basic English literacy and numbers skills help prepare adults for learning
Foundational learning competence – reading and counting to learn
The English literacy aspect of the adult training includes reading and writing, in addition to listening, visual literacy, language structure and use, study skills, as well as workplace terminology. For example, carpentry or tiling apprentices who have completed this English communication aspect of the adult training course will, therefore, be able to comprehend the theoretical components of their workplace training.By being able to read and write English, they will also be able to understand the questions that are asked of them during their final assessments and complete their trade test.
Meanwhile, the basic numbers skills that learners acquire when they complete our adult training course will enable them to cope with the maths demands of occupational training. People who have completed this aspect of the adult training will be able to calculate and work with different numbers in various ways. Moreover, the basic numbers skills that they gain after completing our foundational learning competence or “FLC” training will improve their problem-solving capabilities.Once they have completed this adult training, people who intend learning building-related trades, for example, will be able tomeasure and determine quantities of construction materials that need to be used for specific applications.
Foundational learning competence gives hope to many young adults
Adult training prepares South Africans for a world of work and learning
Triple E Training’s foundational learning competence is providing many South Africans with an opportunity to improve their circumstances. This is despite them not being in possession of a National Senior Certificate with both English and maths with a reasonably good pass mark for various reasons. These range from poor decisions made early in life; lack of access to quality basic education, including English literacy and maths training; to an inability to pay for schooling.
The accredited training provider also undertakes assessments of learners who believe that they have achieved foundational learning competence or “FLC” through work experience. This is done on behalf of employers and in line with the requirements of the South African Qualifications Act. It requires that all candidates who want to obtain qualifications at NQF levels 3 to 4 will have passed foundational learning competence or “FLC”, while it is also common practice for learners to complete a readiness assessment first. These valuations are also undertaken by this leading accredited training provider as part of its comprehensive adult training service to industries. This includes the engineering, civil-construction and building sectors that are expected to benefit greatly from government’s renewed focus on infrastructure development. These assessments validate whether learners are ready to embark on the foundational learning competence or“FLC” or ready to attempt the exit assessment.
This accredited training provider looks forward to assisting you with all your adult training requirements, including foundational learning competence or “FLC”.
