Adult literacy, language and numeracy skills

These skills can include:

• Reading
• Writing
• Speaking and listening
• Understanding and using mathematical information
• Calculating and manipulating mathematical information 
• Interpreting results and communicating mathematical information
• Basic ICT skills (in England only).

There are five levels in the national standards for literacy and numeracy: entry level 1, 2 and 3 and levels 1 and 2, fit within the national qualifications framework and are equal to L1 and 2 key skills and NVQs.

For more information, why not read about the business case for why literacy, language and numeracy skills matter, or have a look at some of the available resources for tackling these skills.

Get on at Work! Approaches to help you to help
your employees! Click here to visit the website.

England

• Skills for Life is the terminology commonly used. Skills for Life includes literacy and numeracy skills as documented in the national standards from entry 3 to level 2.
• 2007 milestone of 1.5 million and a 2010 target of 2.25 million new learners.

Click on www.dfes.gov.uk/readwriteplus for further information.

Northern Ireland

• Essential skills is the terminology commonly used. Essential skills cover literacy and numeracy skills as documented in national standards from entry 3 to level 2.
• Target for 2015 is 100,000 learners
  46,000 by 2007 and 18,500  to achieve a qualification.
  By 2015  - 90% of workforce with a Level 2 qualification &  75% by 2007.

Click on www.delni.gov.uk/ for further information.

Scotland

• Core Skills is the terminology commonly used. The term 'literacies is also used. Literacies cover the range of skills identified as needed for family life, employment and citizenship.
• 800,000 adults with low levels of literacy and numeracy & 500,000 of those people are in work.
• The Scottish Executive have pledged to raise literacy and numeracy skills of 150,000 adults by 2006.

Click on www.lc.communitiesscotland.gov.uk/ for further information.

Wales

• Basic skills if the terminology commonly used. Basic skills includes literacy and numeracy skills as documented in the national standards from entry 3 to level 1.
• 250 employers to sign the Employer Pledge by April 2006.
  1,000 employers to sign the Employer Pledge by 2010.
  Proportion of adults of working age with a level 2 qualification increased by 80% by 2010.

Click on www.basic-skills-wales.org/ for further information.

Employability and generic skills are also terms that have been applied to the skills described above. Now there is the introduction of functional skills which will eventually replace Skills for Life and key skills and will be phased in and available in English, mathematics and ICT by 2010. Click here for the functional skills factsheet.