Tasmanian employers can now apply for grants to improve adult literacy and numeracy skills in their workplaces.
Minister for Education, Jo Palmer, said the 26Ten Workplace Grants will help local businesses, community groups and organisations to unlock Tasmanians' potential.
"The grants are the only ones of their kind in Australia, delivering projects directly to the workplace," Minister Palmer said.
"There is $500,000 on offer in the 2024-25 round for Tasmanian workplaces to support employees and volunteers to improve their literacy and numeracy."
Applicants can apply for up to $65,000 to fund the specific needs of their organisations in addressing skill gaps, which can be applied in a work environment.
Minister Palmer also congratulated successful recipients of the 2023-24 grants, noting that improved reading, writing, and math skills in individual workplaces can enhance productivity and job satisfaction.
"An important part of our 2030 Strong Plan for Tasmania's Future is developing stronger communities and enhancing our regions, and we know investing in literacy and numeracy skills benefits individual employees and contributes to the effectiveness of the business," Minister Palmer said.
"This, in turn, boosts prosperity and wellbeing for all Tasmanians."
The ten 2023-24 grant recipients represent a range of sectors including areas with high workforce demand, such as the disability, community care, construction, and agriculture sectors:
- St Vincent Industries/Work & Training
- Civil Contractors Federation / TasTAFE
- Hamlet Inc.
- Huon Aquaculture
- Burnie Community House / Burnie Child and Family Learning Centre / TasTAFE
- NOSS Bluegum Grounds Maintenance / Work & Training
- Cameron of Tasmania
- Starting Point Neighbourhood House
- Northern Suburbs Community Centre
- Centacare Evolve Housing
Successful applicant, Bluegum Grounds Maintenance, provides services for organisations such as TasPorts, Hydro Tasmania, Liberty (Temco), and the West Tamar Council.
This is its second 26Ten grant, and it will be used to continue improving literacy and communication skills within Bluegum's workforce, enabling its employees to take on different roles and work more independently within their current roles.
The 26Ten Workplace Grants are part of the Tasmanian Liberal Government's commitment under the 26Ten Tasmania: Tasmania's Strategy for Adult Literacy and Numeracy 2016-2025.
The Government is committed to strengthening adult literacy and numeracy efforts and outcomes by implementing in full the 23 priority recommendations of the Premier's Literacy Advisory Panel.
The Lifting Literacy Implementation Plan 2024-2026 outlines the Government's plan for ongoing improvement of adult literacy. All action items set out in the Plan are underway, including continuing to deliver on the 26Ten Strategy.
