‍What Are Foundation Skills?

Foundation skills are the core skills people need to learn,work, and participate fully in life. In vocational education, these usually fall into two categories:

·       Core skills – such as reading, writing,learning, numeracy, and digital literacy.

·       Employability skills – such as communication, teamwork, problem solving, and initiative.

They underpin every unit of competency we teach, everyassessment we set, and every workplace role a learner takes on.

Identifying Foundation Skills in Our Training

The first step is recognising where foundation skills areembedded. This involves looking closely at:

·       The unit of competency – What literacy, numeracy, communication, or problem-solving skills does the unit expect?

·       Learning and assessment tasks – Do learnersneed to read detailed instructions, complete forms, interpret diagrams, or collaborate with others?

·       Workplace performance tasks – What doessuccess in the job role look like, and what foundation skills make this possible?

By analysing these areas, we can build a clear picture ofthe skills our learners need in order to succeed.

Assessing Learners’ Foundation Skill Levels

Once we know the demands, the next step is to understand where our learners are starting from. This may be done through:

·  Observation in the workplace or classroom

·  Diagnostic assessments mapped against frameworks such as:

o   Australian Core Skills Framework (ACSF)

o  Core Skills for Work Developmental Framework(CSfW)

o  Digital Skills Framework (DSF)

By comparing learners’ current levels with the levelsrequired, we can identify gaps that may affect learning and assessment outcomes.

‍

Case Study

Imagine a Certificate III in Individual Support learner. The unit requires them to complete workplace  documentation and communicate with clients clearly. Diagnostic testing shows  their writing is below the ACSF level needed for the unit. Without support,  they may struggle to keep up. By identifying this gap early, we can adapt our training and provide targeted strategies.

Strategies to Support Learners

When gaps are manageable, trainers and assessors can usepractical strategies, such as:

·  Simplifying and scaffolding learning resources.

·  Using visual aids, diagrams, and flowcharts.

·  Breaking down processes into smaller steps.

·  Providing videos or demonstrations to reinforcetext-heavy content.

·  Allowing opportunities for learners to practiseemployability skills in group activities.

·  Customising our materials this way makes thetraining more accessible without lowering the standards.

When the Gap Is Too Large

Sometimes, a learner’s foundation skill gap may be toosignificant to address through normal training adjustments.

Example: A learner entering a Certificate IV course is diagnosed at ACSF Level 1 for writing, but the course requires Level 4. In thiscase, additional literacy training is essential before they can progress.

Here, it’s important to:

· Seek specialist advice (e.g., from an LLNspecialist).

· Refer the learner to support programs or bridging courses.

· Integrate any specialist recommendations intotraining and assessment practice.

Understanding, identifying, and addressing foundation skillsis not optional in vocational education—it is central to quality training and assessment. By analysing the skill demands of units and tasks, assessing learner levels, and applying targeted strategies, we can close gaps and supportlearners to achieve competency. And when gaps are too large, knowing when andhow to seek specialist support ensures learners still have a pathway forward.

When Is the TAESS00026 Foundation Skills Integration Skill Set Most Useful?

Since the TAE40122 Certificate IV in Training and Assessment no longer includes the LLN Units in its core offerings ( they are now part ofthe Group B Learner Support electives) , some new trainers wonder if they nee dto complete the any of the units or indeed the skillset straight away.

In most cases, the TAESS00026 Foundation Skills Integration Skill Set ( or units from it)  is best completed after achieving the Certificate IV.

The reason is that the Cert IV already embeds foundation skill awareness throughout the design, delivery, and assessment units —ensuring every trainer learns how to recognise and support core skills as partof normal vocational training practice.

The TAESS00026 Foundation Skills Integration Skill Set,however, goes deeper. It is most relevant for trainers who plan to specialisein working with learners who have identified core skill or employability support needs — for example, in pre-employment, foundation-level, or community education programs. It equips trainers with advanced diagnostic, adaptation,and support strategies for learners who need more intensive literacy, numeracy,or learning assistance.

For those training groups of learners who are already workplace-ready and not expected to have major gaps in digital literacy,reading, writing, or numeracy, the foundation skills support provided in thecore TAE40122 units (such as delivery, assessment, and design) is sufficient.

In short:

· Complete the Cert IV first to build your general LLN and assessment capability.

· Add the TAESS00026 Foundation Skills IntegrationSkill Set ( or any of its units) later if your career path involves teaching orsupporting learners with significant LLN or employability barriers.

‍