According to the National Literacy Trust, 1 in 6 adults in England have literacy levels at or below Level 1, which is classified as “very poor literacy skills.”
Workers with low literacy skills may struggle with understanding their payslips or following simple instructions. Such issues create significant barriers not only for these individuals but also for the businesses that employ them.
The Impact of Low Literacy Skills on Business
Poor literacy skills can harm a company’s efficiency. Employees may struggle to follow instructions, manage customer requests, or use technology effectively. This can lead to workplace errors, like cancelled orders and accidents, negatively impacting sales and turnover.
For managers, low literacy levels often shift focus from innovation to supervision and quality checks, stifling a business’s potential to grow. Nationally, low literacy levels cost UK taxpayers £2.5 billion annually, according to a 2009 KPMG report. A third of businesses are dissatisfied with young employees’ literacy skills, leading many to organise in-house remedial training to improve basic skills.
The ESOL and Literacy Skills for Growth Programme
To address these challenges, businesses in Northamptonshire can take advantage of ESOL and literacy classes, fully funded by the UK Government in partnership with West Northants Council. The Skills for Growth Programme, delivered locally by Diversiti UK Learning and Development C.I.C., is specifically designed for employees with low literacy skills or those for whom English is a second language.
The programme aims to improve communication, enhance workplace interactions, and support career advancement within your organisation.
Benefits include:
- Enhancing communication skills
- Building confidence in client and workplace interactions
- Developing literacy for career progression
- Strengthening team dynamics and efficiency
Convenient and Accessible
The programme can be conveniently delivered at your workplace during regular working hours, requiring just a 2-hour commitment per week. This ensures that there is no need for travel or time off, making it easy for your team to participate without disrupting daily operations.
Unlock Your Team’s Potential
By investing in the literacy skills of your workforce, you not only improve individual employee performance but also drive your business towards greater efficiency and innovation. This is an opportunity to build a more confident, capable team that can meet the demands of the modern business environment.
Boost Your Workforce with the ESOL and Literacy Skills for Growth Programme
For more information on how your business can benefit from this fully funded programme, contact Diversiti UK today on 0800 612 7479 or visit: diversiti.uk/skills-for-growth