Skills for Life

How can my business benefit?

Greater Merseyside businesses are already seeing results from implementing a fully funded Skills for Life programme for their workforce - learn from other businesses experience.

bullet Merseytravel, for a summary click here

Directors and HR managers may find our “GUIDE” useful. The guide is a practical introduction based on real world experience of how to introduce and develop a Skills for Life programme.

bullet Click here for a PDF version to download (594 KB PDF)

Top Ten Skills

How much would your business benefit if your staff improved their basic skills in reading, writing, numeracy, speaking and listening?

Reading Writing

Understand health & safety information

Complete personal details (name, address etc) on forms

Read instructions

Complete personal information (work and education details) on forms

Read forms

Complete accident report forms

Read directions

Complete timesheets and work-related documentation

Find and read information from operating manuals

Write telephone messages

Read reports

Write other messages, notes and memos

Read timetables, maps, charts and other graphical information

Write orders, receipts and invoices

Read staff information posters, leaflets, newsletters and web sites

Write letters

Read technical information

Write e-mails

Use reference skills to find and sort information

Write reports on progress or production difficulties


Numeracy Speaking and listening

Arrive at work on time & plan use of time efficiently

Respond to questions from colleagues and customers

Write down sequences of numbers accurately

Follow oral instructions

Understand the importance of accuracy in calculations

Ask questions

Make calculations using addition, subtraction, multiplication and division

Greet colleagues and customers appropriately

Make necessary calculations of fractions, decimals and percentages

Talk to colleagues and customers, using appropriate and polite language

Weigh and measure to required tolerances

Take oral messages and pass them on

Use calculators accurately

Use technical language

Use estimating skills

Give oral instructions or other information to colleagues

Make money calculations, including checking pay information, accurately

Contribute to meetings

Calculate area and volume accurately

Contribute to meetings

Acknowledgement: content extracted from Skills for Life: Make it your business, produced by the Department for Education and Skills