Firms call to raise literacy and numeracy standards

BUSINESS leaders have called for more to be done to raise literacy and numeracy standards, as a survey revealed almost half of companies struggled to fill job vacancies because applicants lacked the right skills.

A quarterly Skills Pulse Survey from the Scottish Chambers of Commerce, published yesterday, also found “poor” attitudes and motivation among job candidates, and “significant” deficiencies in “reliability and timekeeping”.

Almost half of firms taking on staff in the past year have had difficulties finding suitable candidates, despite chronic unemployment problems across Scotland.

More than 80 per cent of firms are now calling for an improvement in basic literacy and numeracy skills among youngsters, with some even embarking on back-to-school style training themselves, according to the survey.

“Employers are warning that too many people are coming into their workforce with deficits in basic core and employability skills,” the survey states.

Business leaders say there is now a major “gulf” between the education system and the workplace, with warnings that Scottish Government cuts to the colleges budget will damage training opportunities for youngsters.

According to the survey, just over half of employers (54 per cent) reported poor attitudes, motivation and personality among candidates for work, and 79 per cent said that potential candidates lacked the skills required.

Almost half of firms (48 per cent) have formal plans to address skills needs, which the report describes as “very high” because many were smaller firms with fewer than ten employees.Engineering has the biggest skills shortages, with energy-related jobs, and sales and customer services also struggling, according to the survey of 361 firms.

Scottish Chambers of Commerce chief executive Liz Cameron said: “Employers look for a basic level of work readiness, literacy and numeracy in job applicants – but are happy to build on this foundation to support their employees.”

David Lonsdale, assistant director of CBI Scotland, said: “Too many potential young recruits have poor literacy, numeracy and employability skills, with lingering concerns that a minority continue to leave school poorly equipped for the world of work.” Colin Borland, of the Federation of Small Businesses in Scotland, said firms were prepared to “train and develop” their staff.

But he warned: “They need a solid foundation on which to build.”

A Scottish Government spokeswoman said: “We are committed to helping more young people into employment through a range of activity, including Opportunities for All.”