ASQA Standards for Language, Literacy, and Numeracy Support: Ensuring Equitable Access to Vocational Education

In the Australian Vocational Education and Training (VET) sector, ensuring that students receive equitable access to training is essential for fostering success in both educational and career outcomes. One of the key challenges faced by many learners is the ability to meet the language, literacy, and numeracy (LLN) requirements of their training programs. To address this, the Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA) has established specific standards that Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) must follow to provide adequate LLN support to learners. These standards are part of the broader Standards for RTOs 2015, which govern the quality of training and assessment delivered by RTOs across Australia.

This article explores the ASQA Standards for Language, Literacy, and Numeracy (LLN) Support, the importance of these standards, and how they help ensure that all learners, regardless of their LLN abilities, can succeed in their chosen qualifications.

What Are the ASQA Standards for Language, Literacy, and Numeracy (LLN) Support?

The ASQA Standards for RTOs 2015 set out the requirements for RTOs to provide appropriate language, literacy, and numeracy support to students who may need additional assistance to meet the demands of their training programs. These standards are aimed at ensuring that RTOs have policies, procedures, and resources in place to identify, address, and support the LLN needs of students, particularly those from disadvantaged or diverse backgrounds.

These standards require RTOs to:

1. Identify LLN needs: Prior to enrolling students, RTOs must identify if any learners require additional LLN support, particularly if their course involves complex language, literacy, or numeracy demands.
2. Provide tailored support: RTOs must offer support services tailored to the LLN needs of each learner, ensuring that students have the necessary skills to participate in the training, complete assessments, and ultimately succeed in the course.
3. Maintain a focus on inclusivity: Support services should be accessible and inclusive, helping learners with varying levels of LLN abilities to gain the skills needed for vocational competency.
4. Ensure effective delivery of training and assessment: RTOs must ensure that their training and assessment practices consider the LLN needs of learners, particularly in how the content is delivered and assessed. This includes providing reasonable adjustments to accommodate students with lower LLN levels.

Why Are LLN Support Standards Important?

Language, literacy, and numeracy skills are critical in the VET sector because they underpin almost all learning activities, assessments, and tasks required in the workplace. From understanding course materials to successfully completing assessments, LLN skills are vital for student success.

However, many students face challenges with LLN, particularly those from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, those with learning disabilities, or those who have been out of the education system for an extended period. Without the proper LLN support, these learners may struggle to meet the demands of their training programs, hindering their ability to successfully complete their qualifications and enter the workforce.

The ASQA Standards for LLN support help address this issue by ensuring that RTOs are proactive in identifying LLN needs and providing the necessary resources and assistance to learners who need it. This focus on LLN support ensures that:

• All students have an equal opportunity to succeed: By identifying and supporting learners with LLN challenges, RTOs help ensure that everyone, regardless of their LLN level, has access to the same opportunities to complete their training and gain qualifications.
• RTOs remain compliant with national standards: ASQA’s LLN standards are a crucial component of the broader regulatory framework that governs RTOs. Compliance with these standards helps RTOs avoid penalties, maintain their accreditation, and uphold the integrity of their qualifications.
• Students are prepared for the workforce: As the VET sector focuses on equipping students with skills relevant to industry, it is crucial that learners are able to demonstrate workplace-relevant language, literacy, and numeracy abilities. LLN support helps students bridge the gap between their current skills and the competencies required for their chosen career paths.

Key Elements of the ASQA LLN Standards

1. Pre-enrolment LLN Assessment

   Before enrolment, RTOs are required to assess the LLN skills of learners to determine if they need additional support. This assessment should be conducted early in the enrolment process so that the RTO can tailor its support services to meet each learner’s individual needs. The assessment should be comprehensive, covering the required LLN skills for the course and the industry in which the learner intends to work.

   RTOs can use a range of tools and methods to assess LLN needs, such as:

   • Standardised tests or assessments.
   • Interviews or discussions to gauge students’ understanding and confidence in using language, literacy, and numeracy in vocational contexts.
   • Surveys or self-assessments for learners to reflect on their LLN skills.

2. Tailored LLN Support Services

   Once the LLN needs of a learner are identified, RTOs must provide support that is specifically designed to help the learner achieve the necessary skills for their training program. This support may take various forms, including:

   • Additional training sessions focusing on literacy, numeracy, or language skills.
   • Mentoring or tutoring to assist with specific areas of difficulty.
   • Use of learning technologies that provide interactive or flexible learning opportunities.
   • Workplace support, such as additional workplace assessments or on-the-job assistance.

   RTOs must ensure that the support provided does not compromise the integrity of the training and assessment process and that learners are still assessed based on the competency requirements of the qualification.

3. Reasonable Adjustments for Learners

   Under the ASQA standards, RTOs are required to make reasonable adjustments to training and assessment to support students with identified LLN needs. These adjustments could include:

   • Modifying assessment tasks or delivery methods to accommodate the learner’s language, literacy, or numeracy abilities.
   • Providing additional time for assessments or allowing alternative formats (e.g., oral presentations instead of written reports).
   • Offering resources like dictionaries, glossaries, or simplified materials.

   These adjustments should be made in a way that does not compromise the competency-based nature of VET qualifications. They should also ensure that all learners can access the required support without stigma or disadvantage.

4. Monitoring and Review of Support

   RTOs must continuously monitor the effectiveness of the LLN support provided. This includes:

   • Regularly reviewing the progress of learners who receive LLN support.
   • Gathering feedback from students to assess whether the support services are meeting their needs.
   • Making adjustments to support services as necessary to ensure the best outcomes for learners.

   Regular reviews help ensure that the LLN support is both effective and aligned with industry needs, enabling students to succeed in their courses and meet the competency requirements.

Benefits of ASQA’s LLN Support Standards

• Improved Student Outcomes: By providing tailored LLN support, RTOs help ensure that all students have the skills they need to succeed, leading to better completion rates and higher-quality training outcomes.
• Increased Access and Inclusivity: These standards help ensure that learners from diverse backgrounds, including those with disabilities or learning challenges, can access and succeed in vocational education.
• Enhanced Industry Relevance: Students who receive appropriate LLN support are better equipped with the skills required in the workforce, ensuring that they can perform effectively in their roles and contribute to industry productivity.