Adult basic education and training (Abet) specialist Media Works has launched its Foundational Learning Competence (FLC) programme that will benefit the country’s dominant mining industry and its workforce, says Media Works CEO and founder Jackie Carroll.

The organisation embarked on a countrywide roadshow earlier this year to launch the programme, which is a compulsory part of all new qualifications developed under the auspices of the Quality Council for Trades and Occupations (QCTO) at National Qualifications Frame- work (NQF) levels 3 and 4.

Companies in Gauteng, the Northern Cape, the Eastern Cape and the Western Cape can now register their training facilitators with Media Works to familiarise them with the FLC programme to build in-house capacity and uplift the literacy and numeracy skills of new industry entrants and existing employees.

The FLC programme incorporates competence in two subject areas – communication in English and mathematical literacy or numeracy. The programme stimulates the think- ing processes required to communicate effectively in the workplace and provides a foundation in the language of instruction to enable a learner to deal effectively with occupational training.

The aim is to enable individuals to deal confidently and successfully with the language of learning in formal occupational training relating to oral skills, reading, writing and mathematics and to equip them with the necessary skills and education to find employment.

“This programme will make an enormous difference to employers wishing to upgrade the skills of their employees, enabling them to embark on further training in the workplace and advance their careers,” says Carroll.

She further explains that all mining companies will be required to incorporate the FLC qualification as part of their training programmes, since the Mining Qualifica- tions Authority offers training at NQF levels 2, 3 and 4.

Subsequently, under the South African Qualifications Authority Act, all candidates who seek to obtain qualifications at levels 3 and 4 will need to undergo FLC training as well. Carroll adds that, while it is not compulsory for level 2 learners to undergo FLC training, it is recommended.

She highlights certain mining majors that have already deployed facilitators to undergo training, including listed black economic- empowerment platinum miner Royal Bafokeng Platinum and fellow mining majors AngloGold Ashanti, Anglo American Platinum and Impala Platinum.

Meanwhile, mining majors Harmony Gold and African Rainbow Minerals are in talks with Media Works to ensure that their training centres are able to offer the FLC qualification.

The FLC material is available from Media Works in computer-assisted and face-to-face methods and comprises a comprehensive facilitator guide and user-friendly workbook to ensure that learners understand the material and can demon- strate their new skills with confidence.

Carroll tells Mining Weekly one of the biggest challenges for the organisation during the pilot phase of the programme was finding ways of supporting FLC programme facilitators, who are required to facilitate training at a higher level than the average Abet facilitator because it has been made compulsory for NQF levels 3 and 4.

“We had to include more resource and support material to assist facilitators in terms of extension and remedial worksheets and providing further information on how to research a specific theme, should they be required to do so.”

Carroll adds that the current school system continues to produce many school leavers with poor English and mathemati- cal skills who face significant barriers to advancement when they enter the world of work.