Micro-Learning Packages - low literacy

Lead organisation:

Edvance

Edvance is developing two off-the-shelf micro-learning packages to build communication skills across the care and support workforce, covering customer service communication and cross-cultural communication. Each package will include a facilitator guide, learner workbook and a suite of resources; activities, videos, role plays and a PowerPoint presentation designed so any manager or supervisor can pick up the package and deliver the training themselves.

The resources respond to a well-documented gap: a large proportion of workers in aged care, disability support and related sectors have low literacy, are learning English as an additional language, or are neurodivergent, while employers report tight training budgets and limited time. Around 40% of Aged Residential Care caregivers are new migrants, and 29% of the disability support workforce hold no formal qualifications, with providers citing cost and capacity as barriers to accessing quality training.

Designed according to Universal Design for Learning principles, the packages will use plain language, clear visual cues, familiar and realistic scenarios, and content mapped to Step 2–3 of the Reading Progressions, ensuring they are accessible to low-literacy, ESOL and neurodivergent learners. The workforce will have direct input into content, activities and delivery plans throughout design, piloting and evaluation.

Once complete, the packages will be freely available to any employer in the eligible sectors to brand and deliver with their trainer of choice, offering a low-cost, ready-to-use way to lift foundation communication skills across the workforce. Findings from the evaluation will be shared to build wider understanding of how effective micro-learning packages can be in strengthening workforce capability.