BEST Institute for vocational training and personal training GmbH

Basic Skills for Work

Combined Basic Skills and Communication Training for Low-Skilled Workers in Five Different European Work Sectors

In the past years, the issue of “Basic Skills” has gained particular attention in most European countries. Of particular concern are what is generally called “functional literacy” and “functional numeracy”. Respective numbers are alarming: At least one out of four adults in Europe fails to reach minimum literacy levels for coping with everyday life and work in a complex, advanced society.

Specific trainings are needed

There are specific training needs for certain work sectors, as demand for unskilled and low-skilled workers is declining. The increasing complexity of work processes requires higher literacy, numeracy and communication skills also at the lowest work levels, especially to meet quality and safety aspects.

Results

The main products of the project will be training materials and curricula for five sectors where so far no workplace training concepts for basic skills and communication skills are available: hospital and care, construction and environment, tourism and leisure, cleaning, railway transport

Project partners

The project consortium comprises 28 partners from 11 countries. Apart from the expert and development partners, six labour market administration organisations and five social partners take part in the project.

EU-Program: LEONARDO DA VINCI
Coordination: BEST
Contact: Helmut Kronika
Duration: October 2004 - March 2007
Website: www.basic-skills-for-work.org

This project has been funded with support from the European Commission. This publication reflects the views only of the author, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.