Want the Competitive Edge? Invest in Workplace Literacy

Imagine a sign at work that read

“Wear respirator for lung protection”

or

“Wear ear protection.”

Imagine employees being seriously and fatally

injured attempting to use machinery

they do not understand.

Imagine a society that rewards individuals who are proficient,

and penalizes those who are not.

Now imagine not being able to read or understand what was just written above.

But you don’t have to imagine…because this problem exists right here in Ontario.

In fact, four in ten Canadians do not have the literacy skills needed to meet increasing demands of modern life and economy. And in a 2003 adult literacy study, 42 % of Ontarians scored below adequate literacy levels.

So what can we do??

The Workforce Development Board and Literacy Ontario Central South are teaming up to help fight for literacy in the workplace. They are starting a full-force campaign to enlist the help of employers across the province, to take part in this fight. Even a literacy-awareness television commercial has been created to air on local stations, to reach a maximum audience and, in return, get maximum results.

CEO of the Workforce Development Board, Gord Evans says, “Studies show that improving literacy in the workplace benefits not only the employees, but also the employer. Increased productivity, improved health and safety, and greater employee loyalty are just some of the benefits”.

There are many resources available for increasing workplace literacy, but a gap exists between local workplace literacy resources and employers. The Workforce Development Board and Literacy Ontario Central South are working to close that gap.

Employers can get help assessing their employees’ needs, designing in-house programs, and linking employees with upgrading and other literacy and basic skills programs. For more information on local resources, free tools, and how you can help improve literacy in the workplace, you can visit www.WorkplaceLiteracy.ca.