National Certificate in Employment Skills

The National Certificate in Employment Skills (NCES) recognises core skills and attributes necessary for successful employment and further learning. NCES is awarded to learners who have demonstrated competence in literacy and numeracy, and other personal and technical skills. These skills have been identified by employers as being important to ensure a learner is equipped to operate and be productive in the workplace.

Learners will continue to develop and grow as valued employees and demonstrate skills that contribute to lifelong learning.

This qualification is designed to be accessible so that learners are able to demonstrate competencies which will enable them to pathway onto skilled work and/or higher learning.

This qualification is intended to act as a springboard from which people may progress towards other higher level qualifications.

For the purposes of meeting the literacy and numeracy requirements, this qualification accepts credits from both unit standards and Level 1 recognised achievement standards. The literacy and numeracy requirements for this qualification can contribute to the literacy and numeracy requirements for NCEA Level 1.

Literacy Aotearoa is a national organisation of adult literacy providers and is a leading commentator on literacy issues in Aotearoa (New Zealand).

Literacy is listening, speaking, reading, writing, numeracy and critical thinking, interwoven with the knowledge of social and cultural practices.

Literacy empowers people to contribute to and improve society.

In carrying out its mission… ‘to develop, promote and deliver accessible, quality literacy services designed to ensure the peoples of Aotearoa are critically literate and able to realise their full social, cultural and economic potential’, Literacy Aotearoa has a fundamental commitment to student-centred learning, at no direct cost to the learner.

Accessibility and quality means that literacy services are provided in a way that enables students to fulfill their potential, by building on their knowledge and experiences to enhance their confidence and capabilities.