The return on investment on ABET can be measured.
Some of the measures of the efficacy of your ABET programmes include an improvement in productivity, quality, health and safety and workplace communication. The ability to enrol your employees for further training because they have foundational skills is also a sound measurable. Other employers want to be able to promote staff internally but can only do so if they are sufficiently skilled. Being able to do so is yet another way of gauging the impact of your ABET programmes. This is considering the time and cost savings achieved by promoting internally as opposed to recruiting skills externally. Moreover, skilled employees can also adapt quickly and efficiently to changes, improving companies’ versatility.
Extensive research has been undertaken into the value of employee training and development. Companies that invest more in skills development have a 24% higher profit margin than those that spend less on training. This is according to the Association of Talent Development [ATD | The World’s Largest Talent Development Association | ATD].
According to one study, increases in workforce education levels are more effective at bolstering productivity than investing in equipment. A 10% increase in education of staff produced a productivity gain of 8,6%. This is compared to the 3,4% improvement in productivity due to upgraded and new equipment. Nevertheless, an investment in technology also needs to be accompanied by skills development and training.
Another important contributor to productivity is employee engagement. Employee engagement levels increase when workers are given the chance by their employers to grow and develop their careers and as individuals. According to a survey undertaken by Dale Carnegie [https://www.dalecarnegie.com/en-gb], companies with engaged employees outperform those without by up to 202%.
The main goal of ABET
The main goal of ABET is to impart workplace literacy proficiencies to your low skilled and semi-skilled employees. These employees perform a critical role on factory floors, mines and quarries, farms and construction sites. They are the engine of your company. Therefore, ABET is a fundamental component of companies’ skills development and training initiatives.
Workplace literacy refers to all the skills employees need to perform at optimal levels. This includes the ability to communicate effectively with co-workers and higher-ups. For example, employees use their communication skills to follow instructions from their supervisors or managers and complete a near-miss form correctly. They also use their communication skills to understand important messages at a health and safety briefing. These are just a few examples of how employees use their literacy skills in the workplace.
Meanwhile, a sound grasp of basic maths enables your employees to work with technology; problem solve; and think critically and logically.
Importantly, employees who possess these fundamental skills have also been primed to continue learning. This helps to instil a culture of lifelong learning in the workplace. Refer to https://uil.unesco.org/literacy/achieving-literacy-and-numeracy-lifelong-learning-perspective-uil-policy-brief-7 for more reading on the topic.
Literacy and numeracy skills gaps manifest in the workplace in different ways. Waste levels can be higher due to mistakes, for example. You may receive limited feedback from staff during meetings even though you know that they have good ideas to share. There are also often misunderstandings despite clear written and verbal communication from supervisors and managers. Tension can also result due to misunderstandings between employees and their higher ups, and this is disruptive.
Employees who complete ABET
Employees who complete ABET can communicate effectively in writing and read written work material for meaning.
Reading and writing are very important skills in any workplace. There are certain messages that need to be conveyed in writing by employees and their higher-ups. This is considering that written communication provides a permanent record of events. It is, therefore, indispensable for legal proceedings, business disputes and disciplinary procedures, to name a few. Writing is also a quick and efficient way of communicating with a large audience.
Employees who can read and write are able to understand their respective roles, responsibilities and accountabilities. This eliminates stress and mistakes that cost a company time, money and resources and can even result in workplace accidents.
A reputable ABET provider
A reputable ABET provider will be able to help you to determine the extent of the reading and writing skills deficits in your organisation. Such companies are accredited by Umalusi [https://www.umalusi.org.za/].
They will undertake a placement assessment to identify the existing literacy and numeracy skills levels of your employees. This is so that they are able to place your employees at the correct ABET level. There are four ABET levels, excluding pre-ABET. Refer to https://www.umalusi.org.za/docs/subframeworks/2015/matrix.pdf.
Employees need ABET
However, there are clear signs that your employees need ABET because they struggle to read and write. Employees may, for example, be reluctant to complete paperwork in the workplace, preferring to take it home with them and returning it the next morning. Employees may also be late completing standard forms; despite being told that they need to submit them urgently. They also shy away from writing, insisting that other colleagues take notes or complete documentation on their behalf. Employees may ask their colleagues or higher-ups where they need to sign a document without reading it.
They also avoid any situation at work that entails completing forms. Employees may also record data incorrectly or incomprehensibly on, for example, their timesheets. They may also omit key information in written communication or when completing forms. Another sure sign that something is amiss is when employees use words or letters in the incorrect order. In other instances, they produce written documents that do not flow or demonstrates a clear lack of internal logic. Employees with poor literacy skills record details incorrectly when taking telephone messages, orders or writing down quantities or codes, for example.
They will also avoid graphs, charts, standard operating procedures, or other printed materials. You may have also noticed that your employees cannot follow production schedules, processes or systems correctly. They may also be disruptive or very quiet in situations that require reading and writing.
ABET teaches how to communicate
ABET teaches your employees how to listen and communicate verbally.
Active listening is the basis of successful communication in the workplace. It promotes a feeling of being valued or heard and instils trust. By minimising distractions when listening; paraphrasing; and summarising what has been heard, employees are able to retain more of a conversation.
Verbal communication ensures that all employees understand what needs to be done; how; where; when; and by who. Good verbal communication also builds strong relationships, which is essential for effective teamwork and collaboration. It is, therefore, also an essential workplace literacy skill.
A professional ABET provider
Again, a professional ABET provider will be able to determine the extent of the listening and verbal communication skills deficits in your organisation. It will then be able to advise on the exact interventions required to address them.
The four ABET levels each impart workplace communication skills incrementally. Once your employees have completed ABET Level 4, they will have literacy and numeracy skills at a National Qualifications Framework Level 1. National Qualifications Framework Level 1 is a General Education Certificate. Employees who hold an ABET Level 4 certificate have literacy and numeracy skills that are equivalent to someone who has completed Grade 9. Skills at this level are sufficient to perform general and entry level work. However, employees should be encouraged to continue learning to at least obtain a qualification at a NQF Level 4.
There are many options available to them to reach NQF Level 4. They can complete adult matric [https://www.gov.za/sites/default/files/gcis_document/201409/doethe-national-senior-certificate-qualification-level-4-national-qualifications-framework.pdf]. Alternatively, employees can enrol for National Certificate (Vocational) courses [https://www.wits.ac.za/undergraduate/entry-requirements/national-certificate-vocational-ncv-guidelines/].
Many enterprising employees have even gone on to complete university degrees. Notably, they all gained a passion and newfound respect for learning while completing ABET. Instilling a culture of learning among low skilled and semi-skilled employees is one of the ultimate objectives of any well-coordinated ABET programme. It can, therefore, also be used to gauge the success of your adult literacy and numeracy training initiatives.
Employees who complete ABET
Employees who complete ABET have sound listening and speaking skills.
When employees lack these skills, they do not participate meaningfully in meetings or through various channels of communication. They also seldom or never volunteer in group situations, including workplace training. These employees also fail to meet expectations despite claiming that they understand what was communicated to them. Their body language and facial expressions also show that they do not understand what is being communicated to them. Yet, they also do not ask for help or for clarification and have to be prompted to do so.
They will also constantly reaffirm instructions that they receive from higher-ups with their colleagues who speak the same language. In extenuating circumstances, employees who lack these skills simply cannot follow verbal instructions at all. Their conversations are also difficult to understand, leading to misunderstandings. These employees will also watch for hand or body gestures that provide clues about what is being communicated. They also struggle to answer questions or need to be encouraged to do so. Employees with poor literacy skills also seldom or never volunteer answers. They will also often ask team members to repeat what they have said or to talk more slowly.
ABET imparts numerical reasoning skills
ABET imparts critical numerical reasoning skills.
Numerical reasoning is a skill that your employees need to solve typical problems that they encounter in their jobs. Using analytical thinking and mathematical reasoning, employees can break down complex problems into smaller components. They are also able to identify patterns and develop solutions using quantitative methods. This is a valued skill in most workplaces. Employees need to be able to think on their feet without having to constantly consult their colleagues or higher-ups for help.
Employees who struggle with basic maths usually have poor planning skills. They also cannot estimate quantities and weights and become confused when counting or recording numbers. These employees will also regularly ask colleagues to perform tasks that involve a basic understanding of maths. This places additional strain on existing resources. They also have poor timekeeping skills and are unable to understand production graphs.
It is important to note that innumeracy can very easily go undetected in the workplace. It is not as obvious as illiteracy. This is considering that workplace numeracy skills differ significantly to the maths taught at school and are usually firmly embedded in job functions.
A professional ABET provider will be able to easily identify shortcomings in your employees maths skills and advise you on the best way to attend to them.
These placement assessments are undertaken at your premises and at a time that suits your production schedule.
Industry’s preferred ABET provider
Triple E Training is industry’s preferred ABET provider.
For more than 30 years, we have helped companies working across a broad spectrum of industries to develop a competent pool of skills. This is so that they can improve productivity, efficiency and accuracy while also ensuring safe and healthy work environments.Learn more about Triple E Training and our quality adult literacy and numeracy training programmes. www.eee.co.za
