Urgent call to improve workforce literacy in New Zealand

Urgent call to improve workforce literacy in New Zealand

Five national organisations are calling for more support to improve workforce literacy and numeracy in New Zealand.

The Industry Training Federation (ITF), Business New Zealand, English Language Partners, the New Zealand Council of Trade Unions – Te Kauae Kaimahi (NZCTU), and Literacy Aotearoa have today released the workforce literacy call to action: “Stepping Up to Better Working Lives”.

“Improving New Zealand’s workforce literacy is an urgent challenge,” says ITF Skills Highway Programme Manager Nicky Murray. “Over a million people of working age (15-65) don’t have the literacy or numeracy skills to participate as fully as they want to in work, education and every-day life.”

“While the latest data shows some improvement in New Zealand’s international adult literacy and numeracy ranking, the numbers have changed very little since 2000."

Low literacy and numeracy is a significant barrier to individual success and workplace productivity. The data highlights the need for greater support for Māori and Pasifika, and New Zealand's migrant population.

“Our most important resource is our people – we need to invest in them,” says Nicky. “Better working lives means building a highly skilled workforce, and, as a result, improving social and economic wellbeing.”

The Workforce Literacy and Numeracy Fund, managed by the ITF and the Tertiary Education Commission (TEC), enables businesses to deliver tailored literacy and numeracy programmes for their workers.

“The results of workforce literacy programmes are consistently positive. Higher performing, safer workplaces and more confident, competent workers,” says Nicky. “A side-effect for workers is more fulfilling home lives - helping with their children’s homework, filling out bank forms, participating in community events, and planning for further study.”

Stepping up to better working lives calls for increased government funding, greater awareness, collaboration and prioritisation of adult literacy needs.

“We want to reach the workers and the industries with the greatest level of need,” says Nicky. “We’d love to hear from more employers keen to build the skills of their workers and the productivity of their workplace.”

The document is available here.

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