Communication Skills measure the written, speaking and listening skills needed to carry out the job.
The level for Written Communication should be consistent with the required Education.
The skills measured here relate to general business and organisation communications, not to artistic work such as writing novels, film scripts, etc. The latter would be measured primarily by the factor Artistic Skill in Specialist Skills. (but see also level 9 below). The written communication skill refers to the ability to produce and / or understand (read and interpret) text.
Level
Description
1
SIMPLE: Does not require the ability to read or write. May require ability to interpret simple pictorial or colour or symbol coded presentations, eg road signs, danger signs, direction signs, colour coded signals or warning signs, simple operating instructions. Jobs include operator of simple process equipment Labourer, Fruit Picker.
2
LIMITED Requires limited reading and writing skills to a level commensurate with reading simple text such as short correspondence, memos or notices; simple instructions giving directions or assembly of components; filling in simple forms such as recording quantities or events; copying text. Jobs include Parking Meter Attendant, Ticket Seller, Street Vendor, Security Guard, Sales Assistant, Mail Clerk, Messenger, Dispatch Clerk. Includes use of computerised systems to obtain or record/store such information.
3
STANDARD Requires reading and writing skills sufficient to produce a written record of simple events; read standardised correspondence; read and interpret documents such as safety rules, less complex operating and maintenance instructions and procedure manuals. Jobs include Receptionist (not carrying out word processing duties), Accounts Clerk, Process Leading Hand, Laboratory Technician, Travel Officer in a travel agency, Payroll Officer, Workshop Machinist, and an Administrative Assistant. Includes use of computerised systems to obtain or record/store such information. Chat rooms, online service and call centres.
4
ROUTINE Requires skills sufficient to write routine correspondence or standard pre-formatted reports that document facts but do not give opinions or analysis of the facts. Jobs include most General clerks, Junior Scientist, Trades Supervisor.
5
DETAILED Literacy at a level commensurate with understanding detailed written material, usually of a specialised nature, such as ability to read, analyse, and interpret general business periodicals, technical procedures, or straightforward government regulations; or produce non-routine correspondence or information documents that present facts but do not give opinions or analysis (eg operating manuals, product information, technical write-ups); ability to respond with prepared material to general enquiries or complaints from clients, regulatory agencies, suppliers, creditors, debtors, members of the business community or general public. Jobs include for example Senior Clerical, maintenance of complex machinery Technical Instruction Writers, Laboratory Technicians.
6
INTERPRETIVE Literacy at a level commensurate with understanding detailed written material of a specialised nature, and / or producing non-routine correspondence or other documents that give an analysis of facts, with limited subjective opinion. Examples: Analyst, Program Manager, Sales back office, marketing support positions
7
SPECIALISED Literacy to a level where specialised reports or non-routine correspondence giving opinions and analysis are to be written, or where specialised written material, possibly needing a degree of subjective interpretation, needs to be read, including the ability to read, analyse and interpret scientific and technical and professional journals, financial reports, or legal documents; ability to respond to complex enquiries or complaints from clients, regulatory agencies, or members of the business community; ability to write speeches and articles for publication that conform to a prescribed style and format.
Examples include journalists, writers of persuasive advertising/marketing material, CEO’s of very small organisations and fully professional positions in law, science, engineering, commerce, medicine, the arts and humanities.
8
HIGHLY SPECIALISED Literacy to a level where highly specialised reports in a technical sense or very sensitive correspondence giving opinions and analyses are to be written, or complex written materials requiring both subjective and analytical interpretations are dealt with.
Examples include those that deal with complex contracts or high level written negotiations, CEOs of larger organisations, and heads of very large functional areas within organisations.
9
INNOVATIVE Included at this level are authors of, analytical reports and documentaries (not mere recording of facts), biographers, and historians; writers of speeches and articles that use original and innovative techniques or artistic style.
10
INTEGRATION Literacy at a level requiring evaluation, interpretation and integration of diverse written materials, and producing detailed and persuasive written argument. Jobs would be required to be credible and authoritative in dealing with for example academic research papers, global social and political issues, lexicography, cryptology, or very complex written argument involving interpretation of the law. Positions at this level would normally be highly specialised and the incumbents be highly regarded on at least a national basis. Here the written material dealt with requires extensive and detailed analytical interpretation.
