Under 25s with low levels of education are at greatest risk of unemployment.

Date: 
Wednesday, 21 September, 2011
NALA policy seminar 22 September 2011.
NALA is holding a policy seminar of employer, trade union and equality groups with a view to detailing the role these organisations can play in building adult literacy levels in Ireland.
Previous research has shown that 1 in 4 adults in Ireland have some level of literacy and numeracy difficulty and these are most at risk of unemployment. (OECD International Adult Literacy Survey, 1997) However according to the latest National Skills Bulletin 2011, one in two under 25s who are in the labour force and holding less than upper secondary level qualifications were unemployed in quarter 4, 2010. (Expert Group on Future Skills Needs, 2011) Furthermore one-third of all unemployed persons were early school leavers. The Skills Bulletin states that ‘Persons holding less than upper secondary qualifications continued to be at the greatest risk of unemployment. The unemployment rate for early school leavers was almost three times greater than the unemployment rate of third level graduates.’ (page 109)

Inez Bailey, Director of NALA, says “This seminar is outlining the great challenge of supporting both the unemployed as well as the low skilled in employment to develop their literacy skills with the support of employers and trade unions. NALA believes more should be done with existing state resources in education and training to support this most vulnerable group.”

Sean Healy from Social Justice Ireland is highlighting the inequality of our education system which leaves adults with literacy needs with limited opportunities. Social Justice Ireland says ‘The overall levels of public funding for education in Ireland are out-of-step with our social and economic aspirations. This under-funding is most severe in the early years of education and in the area of second-chance education – the very areas that are most vital in terms of the promotion of greater equity and fairness.’ (Socio-Economic Review 2011, A New and Fairer Ireland, 2011)

At the seminar the Minister of State for Training and Skills, Ciaran Cannon, TD, IBEC, MANDATE and Social Justice Ireland will outline the importance of literacy from their perspective. NALA hopes to create a debateto deepen the understanding and explore the role of key players to help address adult literacy in Ireland.

Ends

For further information contact:

Clare McNally, National Adult Literacy Agency, 01 4127909 / 087 6486292

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