Learning and Development News

"Generation Text" falls short on maths and English

By TJ (23-08-2007)
0 Comments Comments
Article Rating:

Poor Best

Email to a friend | Print Version

Learning and Development News -

A new CBI survey reveals that in an increasingly technology-driven work environment nine out of ten employers are happy with the IT skills of “Generation Text”, but many businesses are having to retrain teenagers on basics that should have been covered in the classroom.

New figures from the 2007 CBI / Pertemps Employment Trends Survey show:

  • 52% of employers are dissatisfied with the basic literacy of school leavers
  • 50% of employers are dissatisfied with the basic numeracy of school leavers
  • but an overwhelming 92% of employers are satisfied with school leavers' IT skills.

The CBI is concerned that, although the Government has made some clear progress, not enough young people are hitting employers' “benchmark” standard of a C-grade or above in GCSE English and maths. Just 47% managed to achieve both in 2006, meaning around 340,000 young people finished compulsory education without them and deficiencies in maths and English basics often leave teenagers unable to function in the workplace because they cannot make simple calculations in their heads, speak in a suitably articulate manner, or understand written instructions.

Richard Lambert, CBI Director-General, said: “Young people are clearly doing some things very well. These technology-smart whizz kids are making a great impression at businesses with their expertise in IT and computing.

“Their fluency with iPods, mobiles and MySpace has translated well into the workplace, and often gives them an edge over their bosses. The greater focus on IT in schools and investment in computers is also helping.

“The challenge ahead is for schools to channel that same enthusiasm into numeracy and literacy skills, where far too many young people are struggling."

The CBI / Pertemps survey reveals 86% of employers think that improving maths and English skills should be a top priority for Government. Currently 15% of employers find it necessary to offer remedial training in maths, and 13% train staff in basic literacy. They are pleased that functional skills modules, which focus on the practical uses of maths and English, are to be introduced in schools from 2009.

The survey also shows that 71% of employers feel school leavers lack business awareness, and 50% are dissatisfied with their generic employability skills.

Take-up of foreign languages at GCSE has slumped in the past 5 years, particularly since language GCSEs became optional in 2004, and 72% of survey respondents said they are unhappy with foreign language skills among school leavers. This concern remains high at graduate level, where language abilities are especially valuable, with 54% of employers dissatisfied with the linguistic skills of university leavers.

The survey revealed that over half of employers (53%) said their new recruits had unsatisfactory knowledge about their job and career - highlighting the need for greater investment in careers advice.

 

Back to top | Latest news

 

Readers Comment

Comment on this story here >

Be the first to comment on this news story