home > 

Workplace English Language and Literacy Programs (WELL)

WELL funding is a training initiative of the Commonwealth Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR). The program is designed to assist organisations to access communication training, integrated with vocational training, to help employees meet their current and future employment and training needs.

How can a CAE WELL program help your organisation?

Employers who have implemented WELL programs often highlight improvements in their employees in areas such as:

• morale, confidence and teamwork
• ability to read work instructions
• ability to accurately complete documentation
• participation in other training
• understanding of OH&S procedures
• efficiency and quality control

Employees who have participated in WELL programs often report that they feel much more confident to:

• perform new tasks or use new technology
• understand and follow work instructions
• read and understand workplace documents
• participate positively as a member of a team.

In addition to training, a WELL program can offer other support for your workplace. For example, workplace documents can be rewritten in plain English, or new procedures can be documented. Some organisations have developed induction booklets, training materials or communication booklets as part of a WELL program.

Who will benefit from WELL training?

Your company and its employees can benefit from WELL training. WELL programs are designed for employees from NESB and/or English speaking backgrounds, who need assistance in any area of communication training, in order to better undertake their duties. Your employees may be machine operators, process workers, personal carers, warehouse staff, transport coordinators, or they may be supervisors or team leaders who need extra support in new job roles.

What type of training can be offered?

An experienced language and literacy trainer visits the workplace on a regular basis to deliver training in small groups, larger groups or even individually if needed. Training may be workshops of 1-2 hours, 10-20 hour courses over a number of weeks, or even full-day programs.

Training is customised to suit the needs of the organisation and will include relevant units from the Nationally Accredited Training Package. At the end of the program, if units are successfully completed, employees will receive a statement of attainment listing the competencies which they have achieved.

What communication training is needed in your organisation?

• 1. The first step is to identify the actual training needs. To do this, think about the communication skills which are needed by employees and are not currently being met.
  Examples of training needs include: accurately completing workplace forms (accident/incident, quality), understanding instructions, accurately reading and recording numerical information, communicating in teams, participating in meetings, developing supervision and leadership skills.
• 2. An initial audit of the current language and literacy skills of employees is conducted. This helps to identify any gaps in skill levels and assist with planning a relevant training program.
• Once the needs and current skills have been identified, a training plan can be developed. This will outline the areas to be focused on in the training program.

What will a WELL program cost?

The WELL funding is very generous for first time applicants and an 80-hour program for 10 people could cost your organisation less than $6000.

*If the employees in subsequent programs have not already received WELL training, the company contribution remains at 25% in the 2nd year.

We look forward to discussing your needs and preparing a proposal and costing.

More Information & Enquiries

Jill Lewis
Phone: 9652 0717
Email: jilll@cae.edu.au