GET ON AT WORK
LAKES COLLEGE - WEST CUMBRIA
MATHS & COMMUNICATION MATTERS IN EMPLOYMENT
Free brush up Communication and Maths courses
“I found the teacher to be very patient and didn’t mind going over things until we got it.”
Free Brush Up Communication and Maths courses offered in a vocational context...plus the opportunity to gain nationally recognised qualifications.
Liam Burns Business Development Manager, New Balance The statistics show that people educated to degree level and above may still have gaps in their communication or maths skills.
Who benefits? Everyone in an organisation can benefit from improving or updating their skills, including: •
s upervisors and senior workers who might have been promoted and need to brush up their Communication or Maths skills.
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s taff looking for promotion or career progression
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on-qualified staff who n want to have their skills recognised
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ssessors and trainers a who are supporting colleagues to achieve qualifications
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anagers who might be m a bit rusty in particular skills
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mployees who want e to improve their current skills and become better at doing their job.
Facts: •
0% of people 3 educated to degree level do not have level 2 literacy skills
•
8% of people 4 educated to degree level do not have level 2 numeracy skills
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here are 26 million T people aged 16-65 who do not meet level 2 standards in either literacy or numeracy.
For more information on the benefits of training and case studies from employers, visit: www.move-on.org.uk/getonatwork.asp
WHY DEVELOP YOUR STAFF?
“In the workplace we expect even more from our people, and wrongly assume abilities in basic skills and the capacity to interpret written and numerical information. Observing several classes of New Balance associates improve their Maths and English, and to see their achievements, was a joy.”
When staff are given the opportunity to develop their communication and maths skills, there are many benefits, not only for them as individuals, but for employers as well.
Benefits for employers: • M eeting statutory health and safety requirements (Can all employees read safety procedures?) • E nsuring skills levels meet the needs of the employer • Provision of a better quality service • I ncrease in and quicker achievement of other vocational qualifications • I mproved relationships with clients, colleagues and managers
Facts:
• Reduced errors and wastage
You need literacy, language and numeracy skills at level 1 at the beginning of a vocational level 2 course to make best use of it.
• I ncreased confidence in carrying out their job more effectively • I ncreased confidence to access other training opportunities in the workplace
Benefits for employees: • G aining confidence in their current work roles • F eeling more confident to try out new things and take on new tasks • U pdating skills in Maths and Communication in a relevant context • G etting an up-to-date national qualification
Much workplace health and safety information requires reading skills at least at level 2. This also applies to work instructions, quality instructions and documents, information on new procedures and so on. Source: Basic Skills are
Union Business, Basic Skills Agency
We can provide: 1. A ‘taster session’ and skills check to identify an employee’s starting point 2. A brush-up course in Communication or Maths, that focuses on the skills an employee needs to develop, both in the workplace and everyday life 3. P ractice tests and the opportunity to take national tests at levels 1 or 2, on-line or on paper 4. I nformation, advice and guidance on other courses and training opportunities
WHAT CAN WE OFFER?
Lakes College has an experienced and flexible specialist Maths and Communication team who will discuss the requirements of your organisation with you, and design a course to meet your needs.
“Because of the importance of numeracy in the workplace I had little difficulty convincing our management to allow staff time during the working day to attend the course…I would encourage any organisation or learning skills representative to offer a numeracy course.” Susan Chilton
Union Learning Representative, Allerdale Borough Council
Maths (Numeracy)
Communication (Literacy)
Topics covered which would prove particularly beneficial include:
Examples of topics covered:
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nderstanding whole numbers U and basic maths procedures
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nderstanding & using decimals, U fractions and percentages e.g. checking dosage and concentration of medication
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atios e.g. making up solutions R for cleaning etc.
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asic statistical analysis e.g. B monitoring data
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andling data- storing and H extracting data using tables, charts, graphs
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ommon measures – especially C metric units, time
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ccurately reading and A interpreting information e.g. tables and spreadsheet formulae
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illing in accident or incident F report forms effectively
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eading, understanding and R completing work related documents e.g. health and safety procedures, company policies records, time sheets
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ecording information; judging R how much to write and what to include, keeping to fact not opinion
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riting instructions e.g. for a W new employee
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Written and spoken communication with colleagues and customers
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eading and following R instructions
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roof reading: checking for P spelling, punctuation and grammar
WHAT MAY BE INCLUDED?
Both Communication and Maths courses concentrate on practical ‘core’ topics with an emphasis on everyday use.
Tutors can conduct sessions when most convenient for your organisation.
Learning together, team work and peer support are essential elements of the course.
Learning can take place on Lakes College campus at Lillyhall or in the workplace.
There is ample opportunity for topics and progress to be discussed with tutors, either in a group or on a one-to-one basis.
Some organisations and businesses have found it beneficial to hold an awards presentation event to recognise achievement.
Thanks for quotes to employees at New Balance and Allerdale Borough Council
HOW?
Courses are flexible and designed to address the needs of individual learners.