Singapore Workforce Skills Qualifications System - Workplace Literacy and Numeracy

English Employability Skills System (ESS)

Chinese Employability Skills System (ESS)

Service Excellence WSQ

Centre for Employability Skills

Workplace Literacy and Numeracy

Workplace Skills Series (Assessment-only Pathway)

Business Chinese Test

Implementation Workshop (Workplace Literacy and Numeracy)

WSH Professionals

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Introduction to Workplace Literacy and Numeracy (WPLN)

The WPLN programme is part of the Singapore Employability Skills System (ESS) developed by the Workforce Development Agency (WDA).The purpose of the Workplace Literacy & Numeracy (WPLN) programme is to improve the competence in English literacy (Reading and Listening) and Numeracy of our workforce in a real-life work context. Individuals who require training in WPLN will need to go through an assessment to determine their current level of competency.

This assessment of a person’s workplace literacy and numeracy competence is required so that he or she can be placed at a suitable level of training. By allowing correct placement of an individual into the right level of training, effective learning will take place.

Appropriate Assessment Administration

Making An Appointment For WPLN Assessments

WPLN assessments are conducted at the Centre for Employability Skills (CES). If employed, the company may arrange for the assessment on behalf of the employee. The company can contact CES directly to schedule an assessment date.

Please click here to download a copy of the "Company Assessment Booking Form".

A person who is unemployed may approach the nearest Community Development Council (CDC) to arrange for the WPLN assessment.

Documents for Verification Purposes

Participants need to bring along their NRIC or other appropriate identification document, namely Work Permit Pass, Passport or Student Identification Card for the assessment at the appointed date. The identification is required for verification purpose and to ensure that any certificates issued have the correct name and NRIC number.

Assessment Fee

To align with all WSQ training and assessment co-payment funding policy with effect from 1 January 2008, all assessments conducted by the Centre for Employability Skills (CES) and WDA-accredited assessment sites will adopt the co-payment funding policy.

The assessment fee for each assessment modality is $35 (refer to Table 1 below). With the co-payment funding rate of 90%. Singaporeans and Permanent Residents will be charged 10% of the assessment fee. Hence, with subsidies, a local worker pays $3.50 (excluding GST charges) for each assessment). The entire suite of WPLN assessments (Reading, Listening, Speaking, Writing and Numeracy) will cost $17.50 for 5 assessment modalities (excluding GST charges). Foreign workers will have to pay the full cost of the assessments.

Nationality of Participants	From Jan 08
Nationality of Participants	Assessment Fee	Subsidy	Amount Payable
Singaporean / Permanent Residents	$35	$31.50 (90%)	$3.50*
Foreigners	$35	-	$35*

*The above charges are exclusive of GST charges. All GST charges are borne by participants / companies requesting the appraisals.

For companies who request for onsite appraisal, there are additional administrative charges for the conduct of the Employability Skills System (ESS) Workplace Literacy and Numeracy (WPLN) assessments at company premises. These charges are to recover the costs incurred by the Centre in paying proctors for the travelling time, set-up time and transportation cost.

These administrative charges for onsite appraisals are a minimum cost of $150. This includes $70 per return trip of Maxicab charges, and $80 for time taken by two proctors in travelling and setting up the equipment. (Proctors are paid at the hourly rate of $20). The total charges for company on-site appraisals depend on the number or proctors deployed, at a ratio of one proctor to five participants.

All charges are subjected to annual review. Charges are to be paid upon the booking of sessions. In view of the high demand, booking will be upon first-come-first-serve basis, and there will be no refund of cancellation of bookings. However, pending the availability of booking slots, a one-time replacement of the session(s) will be allowed within the month.

Six-month Lock-out Period

Test-takers who have not undergone or completed the WPLN training programme after the pre-training assessment have to observe a 6-month lock out period between assessments. This policy would not apply to those who have attended and completed the recommended WPLN training programme.

Appropriate Use of Assessment Results

There are eight language proficiency levels in the WPLN series showing a continuum of skills starting from pre-beginning (Level 1) through proficient use of the language (Level 8). At the end of each assessment component, a participant will be able to check the levels attained on the computer screen. A Statement of Attainment (SOA) will be issued to the participant to certify his/her current level of each of the literacy modality and numeracy proficiency.

Reports of Assessment Results to Stakeholders

On completion of the WPLN assessments, besides being awarded the SOA for the respective level of Literacy (Reading & Listening) and Numeracy attained, participants will also receive WPLN training recommendations.

With the recommendations, the company or the participant will then decide if they need to attend the respective literacy and numeracy training programmes. WDA accredited training providers may be approached for further WPLN training. After the completion of the WPLN training programme, they will be facilitated to take the WPLN post-assessment assessment to track their learning gains.

Placement Strategy

Placement into the Workplace Literacy and Workplace Numeracy training programmes are based on the individual’s proficiency as ascertained by the WPLN Assessment.

Placement into WPLN Programmes

Results from the Reading & Listening components will determine the individuals’ placement into the WPL programme while results from the Numeracy component will determine placement for the WPN programme.

The overall results are based on the Literacy components

Specific Guidelines for the Conduct of WPLN Assessments

Components Of WPLN Assessments

The WPLN assessments are computer-based and takes about 2 hours to complete. Assistance will be given to participants with little or no computer skills to orientate with the use of the computer mouse and to attempt on available practice assessment items so that they can familiarise themselves with the assessment.

The WPLN Assessments comprise of three components:

Numeracy
Reading
Listening

Each component takes about 30 to 40 minutes to complete. All three assessment components use the multiple-choice question format.

1. Numeracy

This assesses the ability to use basic mathematical skills to manage a situation or solve a problem in a real-life context. Concepts such as quantity & number, dimensions and shapes, pattern and relationship and change will be assessed.

Every question will present some information about mathematical ideas using objects, pictures, equations, graphs, tables, charts and text. Four possible answers are provided and participants will have to select an answer before proceeding to the next question. A pencil and blank piece of paper will be provided to work out the answer for each question. Electronic calculators would not be allowed.

2. Reading

This assesses the ability to read and be understood in the English language in personal and work environments. Every question will present some information in the form of diagrams, letters, instructions, memos, charts, tables or text. Four possible answers are provided and participants will have to select an answer before proceeding to the next question.

3. Listening

This assesses the ability to listen and be understood in the English language in personal and work environments. Participants will use a set of headphone to listen to a conversation, an instruction or a comment and select a suitable answer based on the question asked. Diagrams, charts, tables or pictures may also be posed on the computer screen as information.

Adaptive Nature Of Workplace Reading And Numeracy Assessments

The assessments for the reading and numeracy are based on computer adaptive technology. The computer will select the appropriate level of difficulty types of questions based on the current proficiency of the participants as they take the assessment. It will then reiterate quickly to determine the proficiency level of the participants based on the individual’s capabilities.

Each question must be answered before moving to the next one. If the participant does not know the answer to the question, it is best to choose the best option in order to proceed.

Speaking And Writing Assessment

The Speaking and Writing is part of Workplace Literacy Assessments. They are currently under development and will be available soon.

Writing

Participant taking the writing assessment will be required to attempt either:

Picture prompt - there is a time limit of 30 minutes or
Essay prompt – 1 hour

Writing Procedures:

Participants are encouraged to write as much as they can about one or the more things that are happening in the picture or respond to the issues in the essay.
All participants shall be given an option to write using paper or computer.
For paper writing, they shall be given 2 pieces of paper, pencil and eraser.
No prompting of answers or help of any form shall be given in the writing.
No dictionaries or material aids are allowed.
All the written assessments or any papers used for the assessment must be collected.

Speaking Procedures

Microphones are to be adjusted to the chin level, away from the mouth.
Participants shall record their answers IMMEDIATELY at the end of the question prompt.
They may practice recording their answers on the Tutorial and the Practice section.
They may play the recording to check if the recording is clear.
They may adjust the microphone if the recording is unclear. (see picture on proper wearing of headphones)
They must sure that the recording is clear before you begin the actual assessment.
They will NOT be able to play back or re-record their answers once they begin the assessment.

Basic Assessment Guidelines for Participants

The success of an assessment also requires the co-operation of participants. Hence, this section delineates the responsibilities of participants in the conduct of the assessment. The Assessment Centre is to highlight the section to participants upon the successful booking of the assessment date.

Participants must arrive at the Assessment Centre 15 minutes prior to the assessment and to complete their assessments by the Assessment Centre's closing time. Latecomers will be barred on the given day and will be requested to take the assessment at the following session/day.
Participants are required to present their identification documents.
Fees for assessment services (where required) must be paid at the CES Office prior to taking the assessment. Bring the receipt of payment to the Assessment Room.
Participants may bring into the Assessment Centre only the materials that are allowed for the exam. Other items such as books, notebooks, pagers, cell phones, laptops, etc. will not be allowed in the Assessment Room. These items must be stored elsewhere or placed on table in the Assessment Room at your own risk.
Each assessment must be taken in one sitting.
Children/ Companions/ Interpreters will not be allowed to accompany participants in the Assessment Room.
Participants requiring special assistance must call the Assessment Centre prior to assessment so that proper arrangements can be made.
Group assessments can be scheduled through the Assessment Centre. Arrangements must be made at least 2 working weeks before the scheduled assessment date.

Eligibility of Participants

Minimum Age Limit

The minimum age limit for participants to take the WPLN assessments is 16 years old. The minimum age rule imposed by MOE for female (18 years old) and male (20 years old – after serving National Service) is only applicable for the purpose of entry into ITE Nitec courses.

Basic Understanding Of English Language

Participants have to show a basic understanding of English Language. They have to be able to fill in the particulars in the profile form without much difficulty and write and spell their names, identity card number and residential address and contact information clearly. Participants who are unable to do so will not need to take the assessment. CES will be able to issue them training recommendation to attend the WPLN Beginners Level training directly.

The list of Accredited Training Organisation are listed in this page.

Privacy Statement Terms of Use

Nationality of Participants

From Jan 08

Assessment Fee

Subsidy

Amount Payable

Singaporean / Permanent Residents

$35

$31.50

(90%)

$3.50*

Foreigners

$35

-

$35*