06
Learning News
Survey reveals two
thirds of adults would
fail basic literacy
A
lack of basic skills is considered a
major threat to the UK economy,
with statistics showing that some
that has probably even increased in the designed for use in the workplace to quickly
67 per cent of the UK adult population
past four years. and effectively teach staff about the correct
has below average basic literacy skills.
use of English grammar.
This could significantly affect the long-term
These dwindling skills levels predictably
prospects of the UK economy, according
affect business profitability in a number Businesses and their employees will
to a nationwide survey carried out by
of ways. The written word is an extremely be able to register, pay and use the
educational software developer Basic
common form of business contact, be it programme online. Managers will be able
Writing Skills.
email or letter, both of which are a strong to utilise the reporting tools to set learning
representation of the business of origin. goals for employees, and to monitor
These results support Skills for Life findings,
Any spelling or punctuation errors convey effectiveness of the learning.
which estimate that 5.2 million adults
that the sender, and the company they
in the UK are at, or below, the literacy
represent, are careless and lack attention to “Enhanced literacy skills will bring many
standard expected of an 11-year-old. If
detail; an evaluation that holds a harmful advantages,” said Heather Ker, creator
these adults were to sit a GCSE English
stigma and can have major repercussions of Better Writing: Better Business™. “It
exam, they would fail. According to a
on a company, potentially resulting in a will provide employees with a set of basic
2004 survey by Ernst and Young, the
loss of business. skills, create a better working environment
growing problem of lack of basic skills in
by motivating the workforce, encourage
the workplace is costing the UK economy
To tackle this issue, Basic Writing Skills has employees to be more self-sufficient and
an estimated £10 billion each year in lost
launched Better Writing: Better Business™, most importantly, boost profits!” For more
contracts and incorrect invoices – a figure
an interactive writing skills programme information visit www.bwsbusiness.co.uk
Learning project
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online Learning
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uphold its commitment to P
eople throughout the country are
getting the opportunity to use
everyday gadgets to transform
providing leading thought in the way they learn, as a result of the
business learning. MoLeNET programme. One hundred and
thirty-six FE colleges, schools and training
This now means that Learning organisations are taking part in the
Magazine will be even easier for programme. They will be using handheld
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Learning
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Magazine has
We’ve also enhanced the magazine with teaching and inspire learners.
features like the Learning Directory, to give
gone digital!
you all the relevant information to get in The £7.2 million MoLeNET programme
contact with our advertisers, Venue Review is managed by the Learning and Skills
L
earning Magazine is now available
which reviews some of the best venues Network, and funded jointly by the
in an online interactive digital
around, and in the next issue we plan to Learning and Skills Council, and the
format. This issue will be the first
include the Learning Review – an area institutions taking part. The programme
magazine available in this format on www.
reviewing new learning products and tools. aims to transform the way the FE sector
learningmagazine.co.uk. We are delighted
uses technology to reach out to learners
to announce the appointment of Yudu
Visit www.learningmagazine.co.uk today outside the classroom, make learning
Media (www.yudu.com) as our digital
to explore Learning Magazine online in this inside the classroom more exciting and
publishing partner to facilitate this.
new and exciting, interactive digital format! keep in touch with learners in workplaces.
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