Workers in Spain and Italy
are the least skilled among 24 developed countries surveyed by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, a deficit that is likely to impede the
ability of those two countries to boost their competitiveness as part of
efforts to overcome the euro-zone fiscal crisis. Italy ranks bottom, and
Spain second-to-last among the 24 countries in literacy skills. Over one in
five adults in both countries can't read as well as a 10-year-old child would
be expected to in most education systems (Wall Street Journal). In a report
that covered a wide range of countries, the OECD also concluded that in both
the U.S. and the U.K., younger people are significantly less-skilled relative
to their peers than older people, while Japan and Finland boast the
most-skilled workers. The study found that Americans ranked 16 out of 23
industrialized countries in literacy and 21 out of 23 in numeracy (Wall Street Journal).
"The survey of adult skills assesses the proficiency of adults
from age 16 onwards in literacy, numeracy and problem solving in
technology-rich environments. These skills are “key information-processing competencies” that are
relevant to adults in many social contexts and work situations, and necessary
for fully integrating and participating in the labour market, education and
training, and social and civic life. In
addition, the survey collects a range of information on the reading- and
numeracy-related activities of respondents, the use of information and
communication technologies at work and in everyday life, and on a range of
generic skills, such as collaborating with others and organising one’s time,
required of individuals in their work. Respondents are also asked whether their
skills and qualifications match their work requirements and whether they have
autonomy over key aspects of their work” (OECD).
Around 166000 adults aged 16-65 were surveyed in 24
countries and sub-national regions: 22 OECD member countries –
Australia, Austria, Belgium (Flanders), Canada, the Czech Republic, Denmark,
Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Korea, the
Netherlands, Norway, Poland, the Slovak Republic, Spain, Sweden, the United
Kingdom (England and Northern Ireland), and the United States; and two partner
countries – Cyprus and the Russian Federation.
Literacy
Literacy is
defined as the ability to understand, evaluate, use and engage with written
texts to participate in society, achieve one’s goals, and develop one’s
knowledge and potential. Literacy encompasses a range of skills from the
decoding of written words and sentences to the comprehension, interpretation,
and evaluation of complex texts. It does not, however, involve the production
of text (writing). Information on the skills of adults with low levels of
proficiency is provided by an assessment of reading components that covers text
vocabulary, sentence comprehension and passage fluency.
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