This week has been declared National Literacy and Numeracy Week by the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations.
Scott Wassman, Katherine Regional Service Manager of Mission Australia says the week highlights how central literacy and numeracy is to be successful in everyday life.
“Poor literacy and numeracy skills are one of the many barriers to jobseekers in finding long term employment,” Mr Wassman said.
Mission Australia operates the Language, Literacy and Numeracy Program in Katherine. It provides training in speaking, listening, reading and maths to adult students to help them achieve their goals whether it is pathways to sustainable employment, further study or even the skills to obtain their drivers license.
“We currently have over 30 students in Katherine participating in the program” he said.
“The program is individually tailored to each student’s need. We assist them in making a plan that helps them achieve their goals of employment, further education or overcoming other challenges affecting learning outcomes that they may face,” he said.
“For example, we noticed about three weeks ago one of our newest students Moses fiercely squinting in class. We quickly got him a consultation with a local optometrist who fitted him with his first ever prescription glasses”.
Local Member Willem Westra Van Holthe said this type of program was vital to the community.
“Reading and writing are often taken for granted but unfortunately these essential skills are not shared. These skills form the foundation from which so many aspects of our lives are formed,” said Mr Westra Van Holthe.
Mission Australia is one of the national leading providers of support services and training to jobseekers. Nationally Mission Australia has helped 1847 participants through the Language, Literacy and Numeracy Program to equip them with the fundamental literacy and numeracy skills they need for life.
The program is available through Mission Australia in New South Wales, Tasmania, South Australia, the Northern Territory and Western Australia and is free to all eligible students.
The initiative is in partnership with Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR).
Twittercue: @missionaust highlights #Katherine #topend program during National Literacy and Numeracy week http://tiny.cc/8m42x #nlnw2011
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Media Contact: Anita Brabham 89419169
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