Chapter 26. Skills for Education and Employment

Supporting Documents for this Chapter:

• Summary of Eligibility Criteria

• SEE and AMEP Client Capability Guidesign-in required (sign-in required)

• ‘How to refer to SEE’ task cardssign-in required (sign-in required)

• Differentiating between AMEP and SEE: when to refer to which programsign-in required (sign-in required)

• SEE Program – Evidence for Progress Payments

26.1. Chapter OverviewCopy citation · §26.1

This Chapter outlines the requirements for Providers with regard to the Skills for Education and Employment (SEE) program. Please see the Provider Portalsign-in required (sign-in required) for more information about the program.

26.2. BackgroundCopy citation · §26.2

Low levels of literacy, numeracy and basic digital skills can be a significant barrier to even entry-level employment. However, they are able to be addressed.

The SEE program provides free accredited and non-accredited training in English language, reading, writing, maths and digital skills, to prepare Participants for work or further study or strengthen their connection to existing employment. The program addresses the foundation skill gaps that limit individuals' employment options and prevent their successful engagement in training for a specific occupation.

SEE courses can focus on language and literacy only, for example a Certificate in General Education for Adults, or numeracy and digital skills, or contextualised to support learning for those undertaking VET courses such as Childcare or Aged Care certificates. Workforce Australia Participants can undertake SEE in classroom settings, via distance learning, or using a combination of both. Participants may undertake individual building blocks of a course focusing on specific skill sets, or work toward a recognised qualification up to Certificate III level with LLND skills embedded in the training. Training is tailored to meet a Participant’s needs and goals and both part-time and full-time options are available.

26.3. Benefits of SEECopy citation · §26.3

SEE prepares Participants for employment or further study by building vital foundation skills in language, literacy, numeracy and digital literacy, boosting communication skills, engagement, and confidence.

Participation in SEE meets a Participant’s Points Requirement and will not have a Job Search Requirement under the PBAS. SEE can also be undertaken where the Participant would otherwise have Work for the Dole as a Mandatory Activity Requirement. Refer to the Job Plan and Mutual Obligations Requirements Chapter for more information.

The TCF does not apply directly for non-attendance in SEE. However, it can apply if the Participant fails to meet their Points Requirement through non-attendance and does not make up the points deficit another way. 

26.4. Role of ProvidersCopy citation · §26.4

Providers have the responsibility to:

• work with their local SEE Providers and ensure they are familiar with SEE’s service offering.

• actively identify Participants likely to benefit and discuss referral (the Participant may struggle to complete forms, or navigate online environments, or be identified in the SEE Potential Clients Qlik App)

• ensure potential referrals are aware of the program, its flexible delivery options, and the opportunities and benefits it offers.

• engage with any concerns or hesitation and consider what supports can be provided.

The SEE Foundation Skills Quiz is an additional tool to help Providers clearly and confidently identify when a SEE referral is indicated.

26.4.1. SEE First NationsCopy citation · §26.4.1

SEE includes a training stream for First Nations communities. This stream supports the development of local, First Nations-led solutions addressing barriers to access and delivery in First Nations communities.

SEE First Nations is a competitive grant opportunity and there are a limited number of projects. Additionally, as SEE First Nations are community designed and led, they will be aligned to the needs of each community and may not all be directly related to employment outcomes. Projects may also have identified the potential cohort for their respective projects.

Due to the community-led nature of these projects, Providers cannot initiate referrals under this stream. If First Nations Participants enquire about SEE First Nations training:

• Providers may advise them if there is a SEE First Nations project in their community. A list of approved First Nations Delivery Grants is available on the department’s website. www.dewr.gov.au/skills-education-and-employment/see-first-nations.

• If there is a project in their community, Providers must contact the SEE First Nations Delivery grantee to discuss referral, participation requirements and eligibility, prior to any referral being entered into the Department’s IT Systems. Note: both the Participant and grantee must agree to a referral.

• Providers may also offer to explore other options available in General SEE, which is also available to First Nations Participants, should a SEE First Nations training project be unsuitable.

Where an individual has been identified by a SEE First Nations Delivery grantee and is registered with a Workforce Australia Employment Services Provider, the SEE First Nations Delivery grantee may contact their Workforce Australia Employment Services Provider to discuss the job seeker’s interest in the project and seek your assistance with a referral to the Activity.

(Deed Reference(s): Clauses 89, 90, 120, 136)

26.5. EligibilityCopy citation · §26.5

26.5.1. EligibilityCopy citation · §26.5.1

A Participant’s eligibility for Workforce Australia Services will already cover most SEE eligibility criteria (see Summary of Eligibility Criteria).sign-in required (sign-in required) Individuals must also be aged 15 years and over, have left school and be deemed suitable for training without barriers that would prevent successful participation.

Participants are not required to be receiving an Income Support Payment or have Mutual Obligation Requirements to participate in SEE.

26.5.2. SuitabilityCopy citation · §26.5.2

Potential suitability and benefit will often be indicated by the Job Seeker Snapshot. Under the heading ‘Skills for Education and Employment or Adult Migrant English Program’, the word ‘Yes’ is displayed if the job seeker self-identified low ability in speaking, reading or writing English, required an interpreter during appointments, or completed less than year 10 schooling.

• System step — Providers should review the Participant’s Job Seeker Snapshot and discuss potential referral to SEE with the Participant if any of the above indicators are present.

The Adult Migrant English Program (AMEP) also offers free language training to eligible migrants and humanitarian entrants. The guide Differentiating between AMEP and SEEsign-in required (sign-in required) was developed to help Providers refer clients to the most appropriate service for their needs.

26.6. Referral to SEECopy citation · §26.6

After a potential SEE Participant is identified, the Provider must make a referral and book a Pre-Training Assessment (PTA) appointment in the Department’s IT Systems. Once the referral and appointment booking have been received, a PTA is conducted by the SEE Provider. The PTA assesses the Participant’s capability levels against the Australian Core Skills Framework (ACSF) and determines their capacity to benefit from the program.

The SEE Provider will advise the Participant and the Provider whether or not training is recommended and, if SEE is recommended, will commence the Participant in a course of study aligned to their goals and capabilities.

• System step — Providers refer Participants to SEE via the Department’s IT Systems as an Activity. For detailed system steps refer to Knowledge Base Article KB0017282 - Workforce Australia/Parent Pathways/Transition to Work – Activities – Adding a Referral to Skills for Education and Employment (SEE).sign-in required (sign-in required)

• System step — Providers book a Pre-Training Assessment for a Participant via the Department’s IT Systems. For detailed system steps refer to Knowledge Base Article KB0017021 - Activities – Adding a Pre-Training Assessment (PTA) booking for a Skills for Education and Employment (SEE) referral.sign-in required (sign-in required)

• System step — SEE placement information must be entered in the Activity Management screen to ensure eligible Participants receive the Language, Literacy and Numeracy Supplement from Services Australia.

26.7. Monitoring PlacementsCopy citation · §26.7

Providers should liaise with the SEE Provider regarding the Participant’s assessed capability levels and establish agreed communication protocols for advice on progression.

Where the SEE Participant lacks the capability to self-report their weekly attendance, the Provider will need to undertake this on the Participant’s behalf. The Provider only needs to seek the Participant’s personal confirmation of SEE attendance that week and ensure the Participant is aware of the consequences of a false declaration. Once the SEE Provider has entered actual attendance records in the system, or forwarded records to the Provider, any inconsistency should be followed up with the Participant.

The SEE Provider is responsible for exiting the Participant from SEE should they cease to attend training regularly and are not contactable to ascertain a reason. In this instance, the SEE Provider will notify the Provider.

No system steps are required of the Provider when the Participant is exited from the SEE program.

26.8. Completion of SEECopy citation · §26.8

Average participation in SEE is approximately 8 months. SEE clients have 2 years in a single referral period to complete their chosen course(s) or qualification(s). They can continue to access the program, which may involve iterative referrals, until they achieve an exit benchmark, i.e. a Certificate IV in a foundation course or a Certificate III in a VET course. After 2 years in the program, a Participant may again access the program if a new PTA indicates further capacity to benefit.

No system steps are required of the Provider when the Participant completes a SEE referral.

26.9. PaymentsCopy citation · §26.9

Progress Payments are available to claim when the Participant’s circumstances have changed during participation in Workforce Australia Services such that they are more prepared to gain and maintain Employment. For Progress Payments, Providers must refer to, and comply with, the requirements specified in the Provider Payments and Vacancies Chapter.

Payment eligibility will often be evidenced by the Participant’s Customised Training Plan (CTP), which summarises the Participant’s SEE progress against the ACSF. A guide to the CTP is available via the SEE pagesign-in required (sign-in required) of the Provider Portal.

Additional information on ACSF levels and the capabilities they typically indicate is available via the SEE Client Capability Guidesign-in required (sign-in required), which can be completed by the SEE Provider after assessments to help inform Providers’ servicing decisions.

26.10. Transfer arrangementsCopy citation · §26.10

Where a Participant already participating in SEE moves to the Provider from another Workforce Australia Employment Services Provider, a different employment service or from Workforce Australia Online, the Provider should support and encourage the Participant’s continuation, particularly if they have not yet achieved an exit benchmark.