FED: Poor literacy, numeracy costing economy millions

AAP General News (Australia)
08-31-2009
FED: Poor literacy, numeracy costing economy millions

Poor worker literacy and numeracy is costing the economy millions of dollars.

Fairfax newspapers report Australian Bureau of Statistics data shows almost half of
all working Australians have less than the minimum literacy and numeracy levels required
to meet the demands of everyday work.

The chief executive of Australian Industry Group .. HEATHER RIDOUT .. says some workers
cannot read standard operating procedures .. and use machinery inefficiently .. resulting
in avoidable injuries and accidents .. and in products needing to be reworked and materials
wasted.

Ms RIDOUT said her group's project .. funded by the Department of Education, Employment
and Workplace Relations .. will provide a model for addressing problems in many workplaces.

AAP RTV ao/psm/

KEYWORD: LITERACY (SYDNEY)

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