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.
WelTec Connect’s Elizabeth Steer knows how important it is for business owners to address literacy issues in the workplace. In her role with the Centre for Smart Business, she is well aware of the effects of limited communication skills on productivity in the workplace. Employees who lag behind the curve have trouble following instructions and make costly mistakes on paperwork. These employees also lack the skills necessary to solve problems. Anytime work has to be redone, the business owner loses money.
Business owners who recognise the need for raising literacy and numeracy levels in the workplace can count on the tools provided by WelTec and its Workplace Communication Training Programme.
Low literacy and numeracy levels among employees are not the only concern. As Frank Sligo (Massey University) pointed out in “New Zealand Managers’ Low Literacy: Does It Matter” a large proportion of managers in NZ are operating at lower than desirable literacy levels, whilst overseas managers in countries such as India and China are pro-actively increasing their education levels.
If business owners in New Zealand hope to keep up with the competition on a global scale, raising the print literacy skills of managers is something Sligo believes is necessary. Companies are finding it more difficult to keep up with the competition. Workers are more sophisticated than ever and it takes innovative ideas to get ahead.
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 programme offered by WelTec can be customised to suit any company’s specific needs. Training courses start at the most basic levels of reading and writing and go all the way up to advanced report writing techniques. Computer skills may also be addressed. Employees have a chance to improve the specific skills needed to advance in the business.
Initial assessments (using a national assessment tool) are carried out with each individual before the programme starts and again on completion of the programme. Overall there is about a 90% success rate in gaining a noticeable improvement in literacy, communication and numeracy skills.
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.
The Workplace Communication Training Programme is 100% funded by the Tertiary Education Commission through the Workplace Literary Fund and is available to most individuals who are in paid employment. Individuals or companies can apply and WelTec Connect staff have worked with a wide variety of people including factory staff, caregivers in the community, and Wellington Hospital staff.
Recently WelTec Connect started running a very successful programme with professional rugby players, providing individualised training including increasing literacy, speaking and numeracy skills to assist them in creating opportunities for a life after rugby.
Take this simple test (link through to http://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.
Speak with Elizabeth Steer to find out more about this valuable programme and what it can do to improve productivity in your workplace.