When low LLND lands in VET: Whose problem is it?
Friday 28 August 2026 | 12:30pm AEST
When students enter VET but can't access the course content because they don't have the foundation skills required - whose problem is it?
VET trainers and assessors are equipped to train content in their vocational field, yet increasingly they need to support learners who don't have the skills supposedly meant to be developed at school. Low language comprehension, difficulty reading, challenges with basic mathematical concepts and unfamiliarity with the digital literacies required for modern learning environments make a parallel curriculum necessary for some students.
Trouble is, it's not necessarily what the VET trainer "signed up for", not what they're qualified to be training and not what the RTO has budgeted for in terms of the extra support mechanisms required.
But where do these student go if VET isn't the place to help them? Whose problem is it to offer (and fund!) the peripheral learnings required to boost LLND skills to levels required for course participation? Isn't this something people should have been taught in school?
Join this session as we hear from both sides of the fence.
Accomplished adult LLN practitioner Vanessa Solomon and senior educator within the Queensland schooling system Mark Richards, join facilitator Michelle Charlton to unpack the perspectives of school vs VET on this issue.
This special event
Skills Education has offered the live session as complimentary registration.
The recording is available to Education Matters subscribers or via later, paid registration
Registrants who attend live will be able to trigger on the day, a Record of Participation
If you register but do not attend live, and you are not an Education Matters subscriber, you will not be able to trigger a certificate
Expect this session to go for about 30mins plus up to 15mins for audience Q&A
Our guest presenters have volunteered their time for the live event and to contribute to the trainer/assessor community. They may not be professional speakers but will have current insights and experiences to share
Your Guest Trainer Chat Presenters
Mark Richards is a senior educator within the Queensland education system. With a background in science, Mark has experience as a classroom teacher, Head of Curriculum, Acting Deputy Principal and Head of Operations.
Mark is currently working as Assistant Dean of Administrative Operations for a private college in Brisbane and is a Queensland Curriculum & Assessment Authority (QCAA) Chief Confirmer.
Vanessa Solomon is an accomplished Adult LLN practitioner and heads her consultancy Infinite Education & Training.
Vanessa is also the CEO of River Oak College (RTO 46425) and has a long history of supporting student-centred education, excelling at tailoring learning experiences that meet the needs of diverse adult learners. Vanessa’s passion is lifelong learning.