CBI: Britain needs to improve numeracy and literacy

The need for writing skills training in the workplace has been thrown into relief by the Confederation of British Industry (CBI).

The group believes that the UK is slipping behind other nations in terms of literacy and numeracy, Personnel Today reports.

In fact, according to a study by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), Britain has slipped from eighth to 24th in terms of maths skills among 15-year-olds, and from seventh to 17th in terms of reading.

"The OECD figures make for disturbing reading," said the CBI's director general, Richard Lambert.

"At a time of increasing global competition, the UK cannot afford to be 'average'. We must help our young people to attain the world-class performance they are capable of. We need a renewed sense of urgency in tackling the UK's underperformance in literacy and numeracy."

It is clear that the role of training in the workplace is likely to become ever more important.