The Importance Of Improving Workplace Literacy

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There are compelling reasons for business owners to make sure workplace literacy is at an acceptable level. Employees and their managers may be getting the job done but it is important to verify that their communication, numeracy and literacy skills are up to par.

Elizabeth Steer has advice for any business owner who thinks these skills are irrelevant. Steer works for the Centre for Smart Business at WelTec Connect and she knows what can happen when employees have limited communication skills. According to her, this increases the risk of instructions being misunderstood and mistakes being made. Money is lost because work often has to be redone when the proper procedures are not followed. The biggest problem is the fact that employees are unable to solve problems when they arise.

There is a solution for business owners who identify a problem in this area. Steer notes that WelTec Connect has the tools to help any business owner give their employees a way to improve their skills in the areas of literacy and numeracy. The Workplace Communication Training Programme was created with this purpose in mind.

This training is also suitable for those people in management positions who face the same literacy challenges. Massey University?s Frank Sligo has identified a need for this training at the management level in many New Zealand companies. India and China are two countries where managers are actively working to improve literacy skills.

If New Zealand companies hope to compete in the international market, Sligo believes there needs to be an emphasis on increasing print literacy levels at the management level. Companies worldwide are globally connected and keeping up with the competition is more complicated than ever as workers become more sophisticated and creative.

Individuals who improve their numeracy, communication and literacy skills through training will have higher self esteem and more confidence on the job. People become more interested in learning about new things and improving skills of all kinds.

Business owners who offer employees and managers a way to improve their communication and numeracy skills will note an overall improvement in productivity and morale throughout the company.

The WelTec Connect programme offers courses at all levels from basic reading classes to complex writing skill development and everything in between. Employees can learn enhanced communication techniques or raise their numeracy skills to a level needed to move up in the company. Another portion of the programme is focused on improving individual computer skills. Business owners can have this programme customised to suit the needs of the company.

With a 90% success rate, business owners who offer their employees the opportunity to participate in the training programme see tangible results. Individuals are tested before training begins and again after they have completed the programme. This gives the business owner an effective way to track the progress of employees and managers participating in the training sessions. They will have tangible evidence their time was well spent.

Training sessions are flexible enough to work around normal business hours and accommodate the employees? work schedules. Tutors are matched up with students who can best benefit from their strengths. Some are trained specifically to teach employees who are not native English speakers.

This WelTec programme receives funding from the Workplace Literary Fund. This fund is administered by the Tertiary Education Commission and made available to qualified employees who apply for assistance. Past participants in this programme include caregivers, factory workers and staff members working at Wellington Hospital.

One innovative programme was created specifically for former rugby players to provide them with the skills necessary to begin a new career after retirement.

Take this simple test (link through to www.skillshighway.govt.nz/indicator-tool_page10.html) to identify possible issues and gaps in your employees? reading, writing, maths and communication skills related to your workplace.

Consult with Elizabeth Steer at WelTec Connect to find out how this literacy training programme can make a difference for your business.

Want to find out more about raising literacy and numeracy levels in the workplace? Then visit the Weltec Connect website and improve productivity in the workplace.

Source: http://canarymagazine.net/technology/the-importance-of-improving-workplace-literacy/

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