Arborist
Literacy and Numeracy Summary
Arborist
Literacy and Numeracy Profile Summary
Many adults in New Zealand would benefit from gaining better reading, writing and maths skills to function productively at work and at home. Every industry is striving to help in achieving this goal and as part of this effort the NZHITO, in association with our main funding body the Tertiary Education Commission (TEC), have been working on a Literacy and Numeracy (LN) project. Our ultimate aim is to increase individuals’ literacy and numeracy skills in order to make workplaces safer and more productive, as well as to ensure learners have the skills to succeed in their everyday lives. As part of this project we have completed a Literacy and Numeracy profile for the Arboriculture industry trainees. The profile:
· Gives those working with trainees an understanding of the skill levels required by their goal occupations, which can be compared with TEC Assessment Tool reports of trainees’ levels of ability.
· Gives trainers some guidelines for embedding the teaching of literacy and numeracy skills along with Arboriculture vocational skills and knowledge.
Read with understanding – Step 4
· Texts read in the course of everyday employment averaged step 2 on the Literacy and Numeracy Learning Progressions.
· However, arborists need to read a range of texts and some complex texts (e.g. agrichemical manuals) are used from time to time. For this reason, the use of these specific texts should be incorporated in training.
· To work successfully as arborists, trainees need to have reading skills at Step 3 or above on the Learning progressions.
Documents at step 4 would include: some equipment manuals, health and safety policies, or a traffic management plan etc.
Write to communicate – Step 2
· An arborist who is not responsible for writing reports only needs basic writing skills.
· However, writing tree reports is a step 4 task and is potentially the most demanding writing task for arborists.
· If report writing is going to be a part of a trainee’s role, some preparation for this is important.
Tasks at step 2 would include: jobsheets, timesheets, spray diaries, or common forms etc.
Listen with understanding and speak to communicate – Step 5
· Arborists need competent communication skills in order to work safely and efficiently.
Listening and speaking tasks at step 5 would include: Communicating with other tree crew members, clients, general public, or subcontractors.
Numeracy – Step 6
· Arborists need very good number knowledge and number strategies.
· Proficient chart-reading and measurement skills are important.
Tasks using numeracy at step 6 on the Literacy and Numeracy Learning Progressions include: spraying, rigging, time allocation, or traffic management.
For full details of the learning progressions please refer to: www.literacyandnumeracyforadults.com
