Upskilling Partnership Programme

Literacy, language and numeracy in the workplace

Literacy and numeracy skill is important for New Zealand workplaces. The ability to read, write, communicate effectively, work with numbers, use technology and solve problems is essential for a productive workplace. Things like high error rates, difficulty following processes and procedures, absenteeism and workplace accidents can indicate low literacy and numeracy.

Programme aims

The Upskilling Partnership Programme (UPP) is a New Zealand government initiative to upskill the literacy and numeracy of the workforce. The Upskilling Programme Office at the Department of Labour is responsible for implementing the Upskilling Partnership Programme.

The UPP promotes literacy and numeracy training in the workplace through a co-ordinated partnership approach. Upskilling partnerships allow everyone involved to share in the benefits of increased literacy and numeracy skills.

Up to 15 upskilling partnerships are being evaluated so that we can find out more about what works best for New Zealand workplaces and to measure the impact of literacy and numeracy training for employers and employees, including the economic impact.

The Upskilling Partnership Programme supports:

• the NZ Skills Strategy launched in July 2008. The NZ Skills Strategy is a coordinated approach to influencing New Zealand’s skill base, enhancing our global competitiveness and maintaining our international reputation.  To find out about the NZ Skills Strategy Action Plan 2008 click here.
• the Literacy, Language and Numeracy Action Plan – Ako Tuapapa, a stream of the NZ Skills Strategy, to build awareness and raise demand for literacy and numeracy workforce training.