| There are some basic skills that are critical for | | | | are now using skills tests. |
| success - being able to read and write and count are | | | | - From an employment perspective those with higher |
| all core skills to get ahead in today's world. But | | | | literacy and numeracy skills are more likely to be |
| beyond being proficient, there are clearly some | | | | interviewed and employed. |
| people that are better with numbers than others. | | | | - Those with better literacy and numeracy skills are |
| According to recent research at Melbourne University, | | | | also likely to perform better, which may result in |
| numeracy and literacy testing can be good for your | | | | further promotions and increased responsibility. |
| bank balance. The latest Household, Income and | | | | How literate are your employees? |
| Labour Dynamics in Australia (HILDA) survey was | | | | According to a new Report (the National Workforce |
| recently released. The survey follows the same | | | | Literacy Project Report) by the Australian Industry |
| households since 2001. | | | | Group, based on a survey of 338 companies and |
| Key findings | | | | roundtable discussions with another 58 employers, |
| Though the HILDA survey is very comprehensive, | | | | more than three in four employers in Australia are |
| results from the survey includes the following | | | | affected by low levels of literacy and numeracy. |
| interesting key findings: | | | | The consequences of this lack of skills are particularly |
| | | | concerning in two areas: |
| 1. Men and women who greatly improved their | | | | Impacting on workplace safety as poor skills are |
| numeracy skills had a significant increase in pay. | | | | impacting on employees' ability to read standard |
| 2. Improved literacy had a particular benefit in lifting | | | | operating procedures and follow safety instructions; |
| the earnings for females by 14%. | | | | and Inability to perform some tasks to the necessary |
| 3. Improved numeracy lifted the earnings for women | | | | standard through poor email communication and |
| by 15%. | | | | inappropriate language with other employees and |
| 4. For males moving from poor to excellent | | | | customers. |
| numeracy contributed to a substantial 39% increase | | | | Taking Action with Solutions |
| in earnings. | | | | Nearly 40% of employers agreed they had a part to |
| 5. Interestingly, there was no significant impact of | | | | play in improving workplace literacy and numeracy. |
| literacy evident for males. | | | | The first step is to identify those employees with |
| Though many people often find testing a little | | | | development needs. |
| threatening, it is only through regular testing that we | | | | Skill development needs to be aligned with the |
| can establish those gaps in these core skills. The | | | | specific needs of the individual. |
| good news is that we can improve our numeracy | | | | Support needs to be provided by supervisors and |
| and literacy skills. | | | | other staff. |
| How do we define Literacy and Numeracy? | | | | About one in three employers are addressing the |
| Literacy is the ability to understand use written | | | | problem with in-house training, such as short courses |
| information. By assessing a person's knowledge of | | | | on report and business writing, offering English as a |
| the language and their ability to communicate | | | | second language training and rewriting some materials |
| business messages, it possible to determine their | | | | to make them more accessible. |
| effectiveness and likely job performance. | | | | Recruitment Screening |
| Numeracy is mathematical ability, and from a job | | | | There are significant consequences for companies in |
| perspective it is the ability to apply basic math | | | | recruiting employees without adequate numeracy and |
| knowledge. | | | | literacy skills. Only 8% of employers have adequate |
| Why is it impacting on earnings? | | | | capacity to assist with the improvement of literacy |
| Strong and well-developed skills in numeracy and | | | | and numeracy skills. |
| literacy are likely to positively impact on employment | | | | The more likely solution for the majority employers |
| and earnings outcomes. Let's analyse this a bit | | | | will be to use literacy and numeracy tests to assess |
| further: | | | | the skills of prospective employees in the screening |
| - There is a direct correlation between employability | | | | phase. Job seekers will also benefit from improving |
| and literacy and numeracy skills. | | | | their skills and not only improve their employment |
| - Increasingly a number of employers and recruiters | | | | opportunities, but also their earnings. |