26TEN Grants improving literacy and numeracy

Jeremy Rockliff,Minister for Education and Training

The Tasmanian Government is investing in learning in the workplace by awarding 26TEN Employer Grants totaling nearly $415,000 to nine organisations across the state, to lift literacy and numeracy skills in their workplaces.

This year, the grants are going to a range of for-profit and not-for-profit organisations across the state, in the agriculture, food production, local government, community care, aged care and disability care sectors.

This year’s successful recipients have taken action to build a strong and productive Tasmania by recognising the advantage for their business, their employees and their communities in helping more Tasmanian adults build their literacy and numeracy skills.

26TEN Grants provide a powerful boost to all other improvement and development programs businesses might have underway.

We know the investment pays off for all Tasmanians because when people improve their literacy and numeracy skills at work, their families and communities benefit.

Projects are diverse, as is their locations and industries for example; Fonterra at Wynyard will build employees’ basic literacy and numeracy and digital skills and a core group will learn how to write readily useable standard operating procedures.

The Geeveston Community Centre’s project Tasmania Works Stronger 2020 will work with small businesses to build reading, writing and maths skills, and give job seekers the skills they need to find employment.

I’m confident these organisations will see similar benefits contribute to increased productivity and business success, as has been the case for previous grant recipients like Huon Aquaculture, Goodstart Early Learning, and Multicap.

The full list of this year’s successful recipients are:

  • Mersey Community Care Association/TasTAFE
  • Huon Valley Council
  • Tastex Knitwear/Work & Training
  • Forager Foods/TasTAFE
  • Fonterra Wynyard
  • Interact Australia/Work & Training
  • Geeveston Community Centre Inc
  • Glenorchy City Council
  • Peppers Cradle Mountain Lodge

Responding to the rapidly changing business environment during the COVID-19 situation, all the awarded projects are set to run during the next financial year, with timelines negotiated to recognise that many employers’ business models may be impacted.

26TEN helps businesses, community groups, government, educators and individuals to work together so all Tasmanian adults have the skills they need for work and life.

26TEN represents the 26 letters of the alphabet and the ten digits we use for counting.

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