Skills development starts with ABET for low-skilled employees. Many employees do not have the basic English literacy and numeracy skills that they need to acquire new proficiencies. They are stuck in dead-end jobs. There is, thus, scant opportunity for them to earn more so that they can improve their circumstances. Moreover, they will never have the opportunity to participate meaningfully in the growth and development of their companies, industries and economy at large. In many instances, these menial jobs are also not secure. They are very often short-term in nature. This is considering that industry is increasingly relying on more advanced skills to improve productivity and efficiency. Technology is rapidly replacing manual work in manufacturing, mining, agriculture and construction to enable companies to better compete at a global level.
Technology also removes humans from risky operations. This makes it especially appealing to highly regulated industries that have to abide by very stringent safety, health, environment and quality regulations. All companies, therefore, have a responsibility to ensure that their low-skilled employees are given an opportunity to grow and develop their careers and as individuals. https://www.gov.za/sites/default/files/gcis_document/201409/a97-98.pdf outlines the ultimate intention of skills development. It aims to expand the knowledge and competencies of the labour force to improve productivity and employment. This is in addition to improving the overall quality of life of employees, their prospects of work and labour mobility.
Foundations for skills development
ABET lays solid foundations for skills development. Employees who have completed our ABET possess basic English literacy skills. Because they understand grammar, their writing is clear and stronger. Their knowledge of this basic building block of English literacy also enables them to make sense of the written word. Moreover, it improves their ability to speak clearly and express their thoughts verbally. They also have a sound understanding of phonics. This is another important basic building block of English literacy. Employees will, therefore, be able to recall words and decipher new ones to improve their vocabulary.
This, in turn, enables them to enhance their reading comprehension, writing and speaking skills. After completing all four levels of ABET, employees will also have good reading comprehension skills. This enables them to read words separately, together and in a given context. They are, therefore, able to understand abstract or complex topics presented in a text. Combined with grammar and phonics, vocabulary skills make reading more enjoyable and affective. This is just one way in which ABET instils a passion for learning among employees as one of its ultimate objectives.
Employees who have completed our ABET also possess basic numeracy skills. Using their foundational numeracy skills, they are able to apply basic maths concepts in all aspects of life. Their sound grasp of numbers enables them to count, solve problems, measure, estimate, sort and identify patterns. https://www.gov.za/sites/default/files/gcis_document/201409/2003educationpolicydocumentabet0.pdf articulates government’s commitment to ABET. The governance of ABET is outlined in the Adult Education and Training Act 52 of 2000. https://www.saqa.org.za/sites/default/files/2019-11/act52.pdf. It was previously referred to as the ABET Act. Notably, the act regulates ABET. It also provides for the registration of private adult learning centres and quality assurance and promotion in ABET.
Continuous skills development
Employees who have completed ABET have been groomed for continuous skills development. They are also motivated to learn further to hone and enhance their skills. This is because they see for themselves how learning new skills, such as English literacy and numeracy, improves their lives inside and outside the world of work.
Employees need certain specific skills to remain relevant and perform at their best in the 21st century working environment. These need to be constantly refined through effective workplace training programmes. Among these are cognitive skills, including literacy and numeracy. Employees who have cognitive skills are able to understand complex topics and adapt quickly and efficiently to their environment and change. They are also able to learn from experience and reasoning. Modern employees also need socio-emotional skills.
This is an ability to navigate interpersonal and social situations effectively. It includes leadership, self-control, teamwork and determination. Technical skills are just as important in this technological era. This is acquired knowledge, expertise and interactions that are required to perform specific tasks. It includes the mastery of tools, materials and equipment. The modern employee also needs to possess digital literacy skills. This is an ability to manage, understand, integrate, communicate, evaluate and create appropriate and safe information. It encompasses cognitive, socio-emotional and technical skills.
Skills development drives transformation
Skills development drives transformation. This is by empowering low-skilled employees to rise up the ranks, as opposed to only performing menial jobs.
Importantly, it can also empower the country’s many unemployed. So-called “informal” industries house many talented and passionate workers. ABET learnerships for the unemployed enables the “formal” economy to tap into this largely hidden talent. This is to better address skills shortages and accelerate economic transformation. Individuals operating in the “informal” economy are unable to participate in “formal” industries that provide better paying, secure and decent jobs because they lack a recognised qualification. To survive, they supply their skills at unsustainable rates, despite them being highly proficient in the work that they perform to earn a livelihood. This compromises both the “formal” and “informal” sectors.
However, it is also important to note the impact that ABET can have on communities and society at large. The benefits of a well-orchestrated ABET programme transcend the workplace. Employees take their English literacy and numeracy skills back to their families, communities and society at large. Illiterate people are more likely to be dependent on welfare, placing additional pressure on already strained government resources. They also have low self-esteem and morale. Among others, they are unable to make informed decisions in everyday life because they cannot access readily available and reliable information. They also cannot perform basic functions, such as completing forms and applications.
The cycle of illiteracy and disadvantage continues from one generation to the next. Unlike literate parents, illiterate individuals are unable to help their children with their academics or encourage them to learn. They also tend to prioritise work over education which is also contributing to the high school dropout rate especially in areas where illiteracy levels are very high.
Skills development leader
Triple E Training is a skills development leader. Our quality ABET has equipped thousands of low skilled employees working across a broad spectrum of industries with the English literacy and numeracy skills that they need to excel in all facets of life.
Our many clients continue demonstrate that employers also benefit directly from their continued investment in ABET. This is through significant improvements in productivity, efficiency, accuracy and safety in the workplace because their employees are equipped with the basic English literacy and numeracy skills that they need to perform at their best.
Learn more about Triple E Training and our approach to adult literacy and numeracy training. www.eee.co.za.
