The Learning Ability Battery (LAB) is an instrument to evaluate the level to which certain basic skills required for scholastic or technical achievement have been developed in the applicant and what level has been achieved in language and mathematical skills. It provides Human Resource Managers and Recruiting Officers with a quick graphic computer printout for deciding to what extent the applicant is trainable and what bridging courses are required to slot in with a particular group and which aspects of education needs upgrading.

In recent years in South Africa the need has arisen for management to pay urgent attention to Career Path Development planning, especially for people employed in the lower echelons of organisations. This action resulted in a need for Adult Basic Education, Life Skills and the development of people skills. The problems encountered were numerous and diverse, highlighting the need for:

The LAB was developed to meet these needs.

The development of LAB started in 1990. Lead the Field took the initiative and provided funding whilst a team of specialists from UNISA, TRANSNET and industry respectively provided the theoretical and practical inputs. The Version 9 (September 2008) generation of LAB is now available. Today the LAB is running on Windows 98, 2000, XP Professional and Vista - the program is generally known as "WinLAB".

The LAB has been thoroughly researched and validated (Studies available on request)
Over 1000 000 candidates countrywide (and elsewhere in Africa) have been assessed since the project started in 1992, thereby proving LAB to be a stable, reliable and a practical tool for assessment purposes. It can assess candidates from illiterate to Grade 12 level or higher. During this time LAB has evolved naturally, developing into a talent scout for pinpointing career path development candidates, as well as an effective tool for selection of candidates for further training and promotion.

The primary use of LAB is to assess the ability to learn (anything) and gives a clear indication of the candidate’s potential for successful training and employment. The secondary use is to assess the candidate’s current level of comprehension of any one of 13 languages, and numeracy (mathematics)
The results of the LAB assessment will assist individuals, managers, training providers, training authorities and employers to make decisions on training placement, workplace skills plans, annual training reports, succession planning and in the promotion of employees. LAB is significant in assisting employers recover annual skills levies.
LAB is a practical tool, which is readily available to the commercial and industrial worlds. It is a quick and easy instrument supported by an almost immediate computer printout detailing the candidate's learning ability and trainability.

LAB is an invaluable aid in the “toolbox” of Personnel Managers, Human Resource Specialists, Training Managers, Recruiting Officers, ABET Practitioners and Production Managers who must decide on the appointment, placement, training, promotion and career development of employees.

Training is more cost-effective because candidates for employment and / or training purposes are no longer being chosen arbitrarily. Thousands of Rands in time and money can be saved this way.

The full Learning Ability Battery can be administered during one session of about 5 hours for individuals or in groups of up to 20. Raw Score processing is done on a PC, which produces a standardised management and individual detailed graphic report.

The LAB is Available in One of Two Options:

Option One (In-house):

LTF trains LAB Administrators and provides complete kits of software and all materials needed for the assessment process (see next section). The required processing units (One Unit per person assessed) are purchased on a cost-effective sliding scale.
The client's own trained administrator can then conduct the LAB with their own purchased materials and process the raw score in-house on a PC. Results are available almost immediately.

Option Two (Out-sourcing):

LTF can come and assess workers on the employer's premises in groups of up to 20 candidates (minimum 10) and provide computer generated Individual and Management Reports within 48 working hours.

LTF provides all the materials and some of the equipment needed to conduct LAB Assessments. LAB Assessments can be conducted in three ways, using either:

Complete kits are provided for each of the above methods used to conduct LAB Assessments, and the kit options are described below.

BASIC ITEMS COMMON TO ALL KITS

OPTION D: COMPREHENSIVE KIT

Contents of kits A, B and C carrier bag plus special briefcase.
Recommended option which provides the flexibility to use any method to conduct LAB Assessments

The LAB assessment tool is fully aligned to the principles of SAQA (South African Qualifications Authority), OBE (Outcomes Based Education) and the NQF (National Qualifications Framework).
(LAB is SAQA and NQF Accredited: E.T.D.P Seta Accreditation No ETDP-581-PAA.300903-FO134)