The literacy disconnect in the job market.

Did you know that 17% of Canadians either never mastered the skill of reading and comprehension or have lost the skill due to lack of practice? When developing a highly skilled workforce, this statistic is one in particular you should be concerned with.

Without the strong foundation of literacy proficiency, all the ‘upskilling’ in the world will not result in the skilled team you need in order to do business well. Without literacy proficiency as a base, technical and occupational skills and job-specific skills cannot be layered on. The results of this can be devastating to your workforce -- slow production, more on-the-job errors and accidents and poor job satisfaction for your workers.

There is, however, a simple solution.

Studies have shown that with as few as 20 hours of training, the average person can improve their literacy to such a degree that their employer will see a measurable difference in their productivity.

What can you do as an employer? Integrate literacy proficiency upgrading in every skills upgrading program you offer. Adult literacy trainers are available in every city across Canada and via remote learning.

Recommended literacy training resources:

ABC Life Literacy Canada “Learn” program – notes literacy upgrading programs in your area

Government of Canada: Office of Literacy and Essential Skills – offers access to tools, assessments and training supports