EMPLOYER PLEDGE BASIC SKILLS SUPPORT IN THE WORKPLACE

What is this? WAG Priority WAG Priority Supported by ESF Supported by ESF Develop existing staff skills Develop existing staff skills Provide better service provision Provide better service provision Help Welsh Businesses compete in the marketplace Help Welsh Businesses compete in the marketplace

“The ability to read, write and speak in English/Welsh and to use mathematics at a level necessary to function and progress at work and in society in general” What do we mean by Basic Skills?

How do we read?

How much of what you read can you remember? Did you understand the text as you were reading? If all reading was as difficult as that, would you want to do it?

Basic skills are needed in everyday life To do a job To do a job To help a child with homework To help a child with homework To write a letter To write a letter To use household and DIY equipment To use household and DIY equipment To do the shopping To do the shopping To drive a car To drive a car To read public transport timetables To read public transport timetables To fill in a form To fill in a form To prepare food To prepare food To be an active member of the community To be an active member of the community

About 50% of adults who need additional basic skills are in the workplace. TRUE TRUE 47% numeracy 47% numeracy 19% literacy 19% literacy

Communication and maths skills are needed for about 50% of jobs. FALSE FALSE

Every Job Needs Basic Skills Health & Safety Health & Safety Work Instructions Work Instructions Communication Skills Communication Skills Work Documentation Work Documentation Number and Punctuality Number and Punctuality Quality Standards Quality Standards

When asked, 75% of adults in need will say that they have a difficulty with basic skills. FALSE FALSE

Basic Skills-clues to need “forgot my glasses” “forgot my glasses” difficulty following instructions and/or sequencing information difficulty following instructions and/or sequencing information easily distracted, uses distraction techniques easily distracted, uses distraction techniques reluctance to take part in training or take up qualifications on offer reluctance to take part in training or take up qualifications on offer poor standard of written work, e.g. messy, capital letters in wrong places, misuse of words poor standard of written work, e.g. messy, capital letters in wrong places, misuse of words difficulty with reading, problem with spelling difficulty with reading, problem with spelling becomes aggressive or evasive becomes aggressive or evasive

14% writing at level 2 14% writing at level 2 9% speaking and listening at level 2 9% speaking and listening at level 2 7% numeracy at level 2 7% numeracy at level 2 46% reading at level 2 46% reading at level 2 NVQ Level 1 (average)

ESOL English for Speakers of other Languages English for Speakers of other Languages Increase in need Increase in need Diverse first language Diverse first language Implications for employers Implications for employers

COSTS? Welsh Assembly Government Welsh Assembly Government has made a commitment that basic has made a commitment that basic skills training is free to the learner. skills training is free to the learner.

EMPLOYER PLEDGE Part of the WAG National Strategy Part of the WAG National Strategy Intended for all employers Intended for all employers National Support Project to help employers through the process National Support Project to help employers through the process 314 employers signed 314 employers signed Approximately 230,000 employees Approximately 230,000 employees

Why do we need the Employer Pledge? Poor basic skills costs the Welsh economy almost £600 million per year Poor basic skills costs the Welsh economy almost £600 million per year Employers – through FSW, CBI Wales and Wales TUC and SSCs – say we need to address skills deficits Employers – through FSW, CBI Wales and Wales TUC and SSCs – say we need to address skills deficits Basic skills underpins other vocational training Basic skills underpins other vocational training Level 3 skills are the minimum required for the workforce to match the ambition set out in ‘A Winning Wales’ Level 3 skills are the minimum required for the workforce to match the ambition set out in ‘A Winning Wales’

How can you improve staff basic skills? Be positive Be positive Don’t ignore the need Don’t ignore the need Support Training needs Support Training needs Assessment Assessment Readability Readability Training methods Training methods

EMPLOYER PLEDGE BASIC SKILLS SUPPORT IN THE WORKPLACE Contact: Barbara Davies Contact: Barbara Davies Tel: Tel: