Charting a Course: Responding to the Industry-Related
Adult Basic Education Needs of the Texas Workforce
Handbook Two: Workplace Savy for Workforce-related Instruction
Modules # 5 & 6

Module Six: Delivering Instruction Responsive to Identified Needs

Addressing EFF Foundation Skills in WP Instruction

Another nationally recognized literacy and basic skills resource, Equipped for the Future (EFF), describes in detail what adults need to know and be able to do in the 21st century.  The Workplace Foundation Skills Framework that follows is an adaptation by Pennsylvania’s Adult Basic and Literacy Education (ABLE) system of EFF’s Content Standards Wheel. It describes the literacy, language, and basic skills and competencies all adults need to obtain or maintain jobs, and to advance to higher paying positions. By clicking on the Skills Wheel in the upper right hand corner of the website, you can access ABLE’s Focus Bulletin and information about the downloadable Resource and Instructor’s Guide (http://www.pawerc.org).

As a visual, the wheel can be used to initiate discussion with learners, employers and local workforce development partners.  The wheel identifies the work-related needs of three groups often served by Adult Education:

  • The emerging immigrant workforce with little or no work or educational history 
  • Recent hires in need of additional education opportunities in order to advance
  • Long-term employees needing to upgrade their skills to meet job demands

skills wheel D.

Addressing the Foundation Skills in WP ESL Instruction

Application Activity:  After examining the wheel, use the chart to identify ways you already address work-related proficiencies needed by English language learners. Then explore ways to help learners develop other proficiencies not currently addressed in instruction. 

Foundation Skills How am I currently addressing these in the classroom? (be specific) How can I enhance instruction/help learners develop these skills?
Basic Workplace Skills

1. locates/uses resources

2. applies mathematical concepts/operations

3. reads w/ understanding

4. writes clearly/concisely

5. speaks clearly/concisely

6. listens w/ understanding

7. observes critically

8. uses technology

    
Basic Workplace Knowledge

9. applies health/safety concepts

10. understands process and product or service

11. demonstrates quality consciousness

12.understands finances

13. works within organizational structure/culture

    
Basic Employability Skills

14. makes decisions

15. solves problems

16. works in teams

17. demonstrates self-management strategies

18. demonstrates effective interpersonal relations

   

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