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'Nightmare' teens lack three r's at work

Employers are complaining that they face ‘a nightmare’ dealing with teenagers who leave school unable to read, write and add up properly. Many youngsters were dazzling with their computer skills and often more technologically literate than their bosses, the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) said.

On the negative side, the CBI survey revealed that more than half of employers are unhappy with the fundamental English and maths skills of 16-year-olds. Many businesses have to retrain teenagers in the literacy and numeracy skills that should have been covered in the classroom.

Richard Lambert, director-general of the CBI, said: “Young people are clearly doing some things very well. Their fluency with iPods, mobiles and MySpace has translated well into the workplace, and often gives them an edge over their bosses.”

“The challenge ahead is for schools to channel that same enthusiasm into numeracy and literacy skills, where far too many young people are struggling. Basic literacy and numeracy problems are a nightmare for business and for individuals, so we have to get these essentials right. “We simply cannot match the labour costs of India, China, and other emerging economies, and only a higher-skilled workforce will keep the UK competitive. The underqualified will be left to choose from an ever dwindling pool of unskilled jobs.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .