It’s hard enough in today’s economy to find a good job. It’s even harder if you can’t read. Nearly half the adult population in Cuyahoga County has literacy levels that are below the state minimum requirements and 270,000 people in the county have no training beyond a high school diploma or GED.

The Literacy Cooperative of Greater Cleveland just released the first of three briefs, “The Economic Case for Literacy,” which points out the need for continued literacy training in the workplace. Even one year of post-secondary education can lead to better pay for the employee and increased productivity for the employer.

“Let’s say someone is currently employed, is a good worker and shows up every day,” says Robert Paponetti, executive director of the Literacy Cooperative. “But they aren’t advancing because of literacy issues. There is often a disconnect between education and training, where they can’t get the training they need.”

The Literacy Cooperative is working with employers to implement workplace literacy programs. Paponetti says healthcare is one industry where literacy is lacking, especially in the terminology of the field. “We’re looking at how we help provide workplace literacy programs so employers who might be able to contribute to their employees’ advancement can,” he says. “We have to look at the people who are in the workforce today and build the skills they need to advance.”

In time, Paponetti hopes such programs will lead to a better trained workforce that can succeed in the changing economic climate. “There aren’t instant solutions to adult literacy issues,” he says. “We have to start putting out resources together to make the best impact.”

Source: Robert Paponetti
Writer: Karin Connelly