Pod - Foundation Skills

Michelle Circelli

Team Leader and Senior Research Officer
Research and Data Analytics
National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER) 

Having been with NCVER for close to 20 years, Michelle has developed an interest in all aspects of vocational education and training and a particular interest in adult language, literacy, numeracy and digital skills, sometimes referred to as foundation skills. This interest was supported through being awarded the 2013 Fulbright Professional Scholar in Vocational Education and Training, researching how success of foundation skills programs is measured in the United States. Michelle also managed and was a mentor for the 2015-16 Foundation Skills Literature Review project, a joint initiative with the University of Technology Sydney and the Australian Council for Adult Literacy aimed developing the research capabilities of adult language, literacy and numeracy practitioners. Michelle has represented NCVER on multiple LLN-related committees including the ABS Programme for the International Assessment of Adult Competencies (PIAAC) Reference Group (2008-2012) and Expert Panel (2009), and the Australian Industry Group ‘Building Employer Commitment to Workplace Literacy’ Reference Group (2011-2014) and the National Workplace Literacy Project Steering Committee (2009-2010).

Making numeracy count: a key challenge for the 21st century
(Source: Aspire Learning Resources and ACER, December 2021)

Literacy, numeracy and digital literacy 101: what employers need to know
(Source: AiGroup Centre for Education and Training, November 2021)