Numeracy Scoping Study

In 2004-05 we conducted a Scoping Study for the DfES Skills for Life Strategy Unit  to assess current numeracy levels and issues in six sectors including Health and Social Care, Passenger Transport and Food and Drink.

The study reviews literature and practice relating to numeracy levels in the UK workforce, and examines the business impact of numeracy issues within each of the six sectors, based on available research and through interviews with Sector Skills Council representatives, employers, Union Learning Representatives, providers of workplace numeracy courses and other experts.

The study showed that:

• From available research, it is clear that a large proportion of the UK workforce has difficulties with basic numeracy as a result of factors such as a lack of importance placed on learning in general and numeracy in particular
• The ambivalent attitude towards numeracy will remain until it receives the sort of attention and focus which literacy has had and which ESOL is now receiving as the current ‘hot topic’
• Embedding numeracy would ensure that numeracy skills are developed, refreshed and maintained as part of literacy and language and job-related skills training
• There is a clear need to improve numeracy teaching in formal education

Click here to download a copy of the report.