But Education Unlimited and NZ Post are on a mission to change that, through a new workplace literacy (communication) programme, Level Up. The 10-week course is being delivered to NZ Post staff nationwide, with 2.5 hours off the job each week for employees to “level up” their reading, writing, communication, digital and money capabilities. 

Already 80 NZ Post staff from Whangārei to Ōtepoti Dunedin are currently in the programme or have recently graduated, and plans are in the pipeline to continue expanding Level Up into 2025 and beyond.

“Literacy is about so much more than just reading and writing - it’s also about financial literacy, digital literacy, communication skills, confidence and competence, problem solving and critical thinking skills,” says Education Unlimited Director Tina Rose. “If we want to genuinely build a future ready workforce, developing these foundational skills is essential.”

Without these skills, adults are at a huge disadvantage, with fewer career pathways, greater likelihood of job loss, and reduced earning capability – not to mention diminished opportunities for personal success.

“The world is rapidly changing and digital transformation is impacting virtually every industry and every job. These foundational skills provide the building blocks for the development of new capabilities, enabling people to thrive in our increasingly digital landscape, and develop skill sets that go beyond the workplace to home, whānau and community.”

Education Unlimited and NZ Post first teamed up in 2023 with a pilot programme called ‘Money Confidence’ which Education Unlimited delivered to NZ Post’s Onehunga team as part of Project Ikuna. The pilot proved so successful that NZ Post asked Education Unlimited to tailor make a new programme, Level Up, adding in digital, communication and critical thinking skills to help them build a future ready workforce and ensure no team member is left behind.

Tuki Te Reo is a team leader at NZ Post in Palmerston North, and his team of seven processing officers will graduate from Level Up at the end of September. A former primary school teacher, Tuki understands the importance of literacy, and is delighted to be playing a part in upskilling and empowering NZ Post employees.

“We have a very diverse team, across age, ethnicity and literacy levels and through this programme we are levelling up our team’s capabilities and building confidence,” says Tuki, who has been with NZ Post for around 20 years.

“There has been a big focus on reading and comprehension which is an important part of a processing officer’s job – without that they wouldn’t know where to deliver the mail to!”

The course has also covered everything from banking, getting a loan, and online safety to the difference between goals and aspirations, and wants and needs. Managing and interpreting workplace data, problem solving using digital tools and communicating digitally are other key components. Tuki says it has been game changing.

“My team has found the training immensely beneficial, both in their work life and their home life, and they are very grateful for what they have learnt. Some of the staff have been reflecting on things they weren’t previously sure about, and have come back to work after training willing to talk and share their experiences.  Meanwhile others have learnt things they previously didn’t know anything at all about.

“Level Up has really brought the team together because it has given them a common interest. Not only that, but some of them are now instigating positive changes in their workplace and at home, as a result of what they have learned.”

Education Unlimited Business Operations Manager Maureen Hamahona is delivering the Palmerston North Level Up programme, and she believes the skills the NZ Post workforce is developing will play a vital role in helping workers navigate turbulent economic times.

“Understanding how to harness and develop people’s core skills so that they are more literate is really important, especially in this tough economy,” says Maureen. 

“Level Up is designed to build the core skills participants need for future success, both in their careers and their personal lives. We really take our hats off to NZ Post for having the foresight and passion to invest in the future of their people, and their workforce.”

Here’s what some of the NZ Post team had to say about Level Up:

• I have never been more excited to learn!
• Always looking forward to coming to Level Up.
• Out tutor encourages personal progress through life experience and provides information and resources.
• Being part of this course was more important for myself.
• I have learned a lot.
• Great tutor, always learning new things. Very useful insight.
• Always open and always looking at ways to improve and build self-esteem.
• Very grateful to be given the opportunity to be part of the Education Unlimited training and to graduate.