Essential Skills in the Workplace project
This project aimed to raise levels of essential skills in the employed workforce through increased and enhanced essential skills support within the workplace.
Working in partnership with employers, the project raised awareness of the benefits of a skilled workforce and provided additional support to address identified essential skills.
The purpose is to greatly diminish the number of adults with poor essential skills. As an estimated 47% of adults with essential skills needs are in work, it is vital that employers and the workplace are engaged in the solution.
This bespoke training in English, Maths and IT was directly related to the organisation and employee.
Develop the workforce through:
- improved team work and customer service
- improved quality control
- increased accuracy, less wastage
- increased confidence
- greater flexibility for effective multi-skilling
It has been identified that poor essential skills can make it difficult for employees to:
- carry out their current job effectively and efficiently
- understand and work with new procedures
- take up the challenge of new technology
- benefit from new ways of learning and training
Problems such as lack of initiative or problem-solving skills, unwillingness to accept changes or go for promotion, often result from an underlying lack of confidence due to difficulties with essential skills.
Poor skills hamper the growth and sustainability of businesses and affect the bottom line: - it is estimated that poor essential skills currently cost the Welsh economy ₤588 million per year.