'Skills for life' and workforce development

When they are dealing with customers, colleagues and suppliers, are your employees confident in their literacy, numeracy and language skills? Perhaps you've spotted that they need help to improve their skills in these areas.

Or maybe theyíve found ways of coping so youíre not even aware this is something which needs to be tackled.

Susan Pember, director of the Adult Basic Skills Strategy Unit at the Department for Education and Skills, and Ann Limb, chief executive of Ufi/learndirect, want to equip employers with the tools they need to identify staff with skills for life needs and introduce reading, writing and maths to their in-house training programmes.

The challenge

Launching the new Employer Toolkit at 10 Downing Street in March, Susan Pember said that workforce skills for life need to be addressed to improve the prospects of individuals and UK businesses.

"Up to 3.5 million workers in the UK struggle with reading, writing and everyday maths. This can hamper their progress at work and costs UK businesses nearly £5 billion a year. Most of these adults are in low-skilled and low-paid jobs. They have few prospects and their employers lose out through lower productivity, poor motivation and morale, and higher rates of sickness and staff turnover.

"We have launched a new toolkit, aimed at employers, which guides them through identifying and improving the skills of their workforce. There is also a new video and information pack for small and medium sized firms. By July 2002, 600 brokers will have been trained to offer face-to-face advice and support.

This is in addition to 3,250 Union Learning Reps who already offer support in the workplace." Ann Limb adds: "There are many benefits to be had from learning together at work, apart from just raising the skill levels in your business.

For one thing, if your employees feel you are investing in them, theyíre going to feel valued. People who feel valued contribute more, and have a more positive attitude to their work - improving their own prospects as well as the productivity of the business." 

A personal approach

All workforce development activities can benefit employers, but literacy, numeracy and language learning can change lives dramatically for the better.

Ann Limb advises: "Remember that word, number and language training is very personal to your employees. Never use skills for life diagnoses or training or as a punishment for inadequate performance or behaviour. By encouraging people to improve their skills you build goodwill, increase skill levels, and generate commitment - all of which benefit your company."

Fun as well as educational

Literacy, numeracy and language courses are not like school. Adults can learn in a style and at a time that suits them - whether thatís face-to-face at work or on-line almost anywhere. learndirect plans to launch a number of games-based learning programmes later this summer, which might be a good way to encourage employeesí to improve their word and number skills.

Europe Singh, Head of the Basic Skills Product Commissioning Team at Ufi/learndirect, explains: "Learning should be an enjoyable experience. By taking the lead from computer games designers, we can make literacy and numeracy learning a fun, shared experience. Itís also a way of giving employees the chance to get to know each other better, which should result in greater co-operation and goodwill in the workplace. Your customers will be the first to see the benefits!"

A check-list for success

When looking at introducing skills for life training in the workplace, Susan Pember suggests that you remember the following:

• Consider your basic operational needs, as well as your long-term company objectives. Ask yourself what you hope to achieve through staff training and involve employees in the planning. Ask what skills for life training they would benefit from and for their view on how it would help the company.
• Look closely at specific areas of your business. How competent are your employees? Would your sales people benefit from improving their numeracy skills? Would your finance people benefit from improving their report writing skills? Do your employees know what you can offer them to help their personal development? 

learndirect centres are very happy to help employers with their needsí analyses. Just call 0800 100 900 or your local learndirect centre and an adviser will arrange an appointment with you.

Further information: See the learndirect business website www.learndirect-business.co.uk