Illiteracy is a major impediment to employment

The CEO of the Council of Small Business of Australia, Tony Steven has noted that this unsatisfactory situation is evidenced in the recently released ABS Data “Adult Literacy and Life Skills Survey Results” (ABS 4228.0)

“This is a matter that deserves urgent attention to address a presently unsatisfactory situation. While literacy levels are bad, worse still is the fact that of the same cohort some 57% are innumerate.

“Inadequate literacy and numeracy skills mean that even in a time of severe skill shortage many job applicants have to be rejected. The data also demonstrates that a significant proportion of Australians have literacy levels below that which is considered necessary to effectively manage their lives. The burden of this deficiency will be felt not only by the individual, but also by their family, their community and eventually by the state.

“Low levels of literacy mean that a person does not have the ability to gain adequate knowledge about any subject or matter and therefore they will always be deficient in performance in all aspects of their life.

"Clearly this inhibits their ability to learn those skills necessary to complete trade or technical education or indeed to be able to learn operating or safety procedures in the workplace. The OH&S and general business risks are just too great for employers to accept.

“While remedial teaching in the workplace is a possibility for some larger employers correcting failure in the school system is not an option for most small businesses.

“The Council of Small Business of Australia notes that the Rudd Government has placed a high priority on improving literacy and numeracy levels and applauds this long overdue initiative” Mr Steven said.

Back Send us your comments