Learning a Living FIRST RESULTS OF THE ADULT LITERACY AND LIFE SKILLS SURVEY Learning a Living, the first report from the Adult Literacy and Life Skills Survey, presents new evidence on the nature and magnitude of the literacy gaps faced Learning a Living by OECD countries and how these gaps have evolved over the past decade. It offers new insights into the factors that influence the formation and loss of adult skills in various settings – at home and at work – for the seven countries participating in the first round of data collection. The study offers the first comparative evidence on the impact of formal adult education and FIRST RESULTS informal learning on the supply of skills. It also provides unique insight into the OF THE ADULT LITERACY distribution of information and communication technology skills, and how these have amplified both productivity and wage inequality. AND LIFE SKILLS SURVEY Findings point to large differences in the average level and population distribution of skills both within and between countries. Low skills are evident among all adult groups in significant—albeit varying – proportions. Skills vary substantially even at similar levels of educational attainment. Hence some countries are more successful than others in building skills beyond initial schooling. These differences matter because skills are closely associated with economic life chances and quality of life. Improving skills, particularly among those with real life deficits, remains a large challenge. But policy can make a difference. The evidence shows how some countries have succeeded in building high levels of skill in multiple domains. A LIVING LEARNING Others have managed to improve the skills of the entire population. Still others have come close to realizing lifelong learning for all. First Results of the Adult Literacy and Life Skills Survey Skills Life and Literacy Adult the of Results First OECD’s books, periodicals and statistical databases are now available via www.SourceOECD.org, our online library. This book is available to subscribers to the following SourceOECD theme: Education and Skills Ask your librarian for more details of how to access OECD books on line, or write to us at [email protected] ���������� ����������� ������ ������ ���������� ����������� www.statcan.ca www.oecd.org ������ ������ ISBN 92-64-01038-6 -:HSTCQE=UVUX]X: 91 2005 03 1 P Learning a Living First Results of the Adult Literacy and Life Skills Survey Ottawa and Paris Statistics Canada Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development ORGANISATION FOR ECONOMIC CO-OPERATION AND DEVELOPMENT The OECD is a unique forum where the governments of 30 democracies work together to address the economic, social and environmental challenges of globalisation. The OECD is also at the forefront of efforts to understand and to help governments respond to new developments and concerns, such as corporate governance, the information economy and the challenges of an ageing population. The Organisation provides a setting where governments can compare policy experiences, seek answers to common problems, identify good practice and work to co-ordinate domestic and international policies. The OECD member countries are: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Korea, Luxembourg, Mexico, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, the Slovak Republic, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, the United Kingdom and the United States. The Commission of the European Communities takes part in the work of the OECD. 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The opinions expressed and arguments employed herein do not necessarily reflect the official views of the Organisation or of the governments of its member countries. © Minister of Industry , Canada and Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), Paris, 2005 Foreword In the age of electricity and automation, the globe becomes a community of continuous learning, a single campus in which everybody irrespective of age, is involved in learning a living. Marshall McLuhan, 1964 Foreword Change is a defining feature of modern life. Technologies change, the organization of work changes, terms of trade change, communities evolve and social roles change as individuals negotiate the life course. Hence change is unavoidable. It obliges individuals, families, schools, firms and nations to adapt. People and institutions that have the ability to adapt are resilient; they survive and have a chance to flourish. In contrast, those lacking the ability to adapt become vulnerable and dependent. The ability to adapt to change depends, to a large extent, on the pool of skills upon which individuals, institutions and nations can call. The fundamental goal of the Adult Literacy and Life Skills Survey (ALL) is to shed new light on the twin processes of skill gain and loss. This is achieved through measurement of prose and document literacy of adults for a second time in some countries. Further, the study has extended the range of skills measured by adding problem solving, numeracy and information and communication technology (ICT) skill. This allows one to examine the profiles of important foundation skills. Thus the study makes it possible, for the first time, to explore the interrelationships among skill domains as well as their links to major antecedents and outcomes, such as the quantity and quality of initial education and skill’s impact on employability, wages, and health. This report is meant to assist individuals, educators, employers and other decision makers in four areas: • Removing skill deficits that act as barriers to innovation, productivity and high rates of economic growth; • Limiting and reversing social exclusion and income inequality; • Reducing the unit cost of delivering public health care and education services; • Improving quality in a broad range of contexts from public services to quality