Return-Path: <nifl-workplace@literacy.nifl.gov> Received: from literacy (localhost [127.0.0.1]) by literacy.nifl.gov (8.10.2/8.10.2) with SMTP id f48NxFf03747; Tue, 8 May 2001 19:59:16 -0400 (EDT) Date: Tue, 8 May 2001 19:59:16 -0400 (EDT) Message-Id: <NFBBIKLPIKFKKLFAOBAAGEPMCBAA.haw6@psu.edu> Errors-To: listowner@literacy.nifl.gov Reply-To: nifl-workplace@literacy.nifl.gov Originator: nifl-workplace@literacy.nifl.gov Sender: nifl-workplace@literacy.nifl.gov Precedence: bulk From: "H. A. C. Watson" <haw6@psu.edu> To: Multiple recipients of list <nifl-workplace@literacy.nifl.gov> Subject: [NIFL-WORKPLACE:169] America's $60 Billion Problem- Training Magazine X-Listprocessor-Version: 6.0c -- ListProcessor by Anastasios Kotsikonas X-Mailer: Microsoft Outlook IMO, Build 9.0.2416 (9.0.2910.0) Status: O Content-Length: 2263 Lines: 61 The May issue of training magazine has a wonderful article on literacy titled, "America's $60 Billion Problem." The article describes the impact of low literacy in the workplace, and how some companies, such as Smith and Wesson, are trying to improve productivity through literacy training. The article goes on to detail the statewide efforts of Ohio (Work in Northwest Ohio Council) and Massachusetts (The Massachusetts Institute for a New Commonwealth) in addressing workplace literacy issues. Here are a few interesting excerpts: "So what are companies doing to address the issue? Surprisingly, most are doing nothing: Only 13 percent offer remedial training to employees in literacy and math, down from a high of 24 percent in 1993, according to an American Management Association study released last year." "For the companies that do address literacy, the approach seems to be a multi-tiered one. Some, after discovering a basic skills gap within their workforce, offer remedial training. Others are willing to hire skills-lacking employees from the get-go, then fill in the gaps through workplace training, an approach that AMA's Bayer describes as 'good corporate citizenry.' And finally, some companies address the issues on a societal level - reaching into communities to help schools and nonprofit organizations better education skills-lacking students and unemployed adults, all of whom represent, of course, the untapped workforce." "While individual companies are often forced to address the basic skills gaps, so too are entire states in need of initiatives to address the issues and its resulting effect on economic health. The state of Massachusetts, for example, recently determined that more than one-third of its 3.2 million workers are ill-equipped to meet the demands of a rapidly changing economy." "To fund this remedial education initiative, the Massachusetts Institute for a New Commonwealth proposes an increase in state funding as well as the establishment of a $22 million Basic Skills Training tax credit that would encourage corporations to enroll employees in local developmental classes. It also promotes a 30 percent tax credit for investment in worker education programs at the company level." http://www.trainingmag.com/
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