Businesses have a powerful stake in the skills of their frontline employees. That’s the message of a new fact sheet, one of two publications being released today by National Skills Coalition.
The Business Case for Upskilling highlights findings from NSC’s recent report on service-sector workers who have limited literacy, numeracy, or digital problem-solving skills. Among the findings emphasized in the fact sheet: A majority (58%) of these workers have been with their employer for at least three years, and 39% have recently pursued additional education and training.
Companies can help workers overcome their skill gaps through a variety of mechanisms, including partnering with training providers to offer classes and providing paid release time for employees to participate in learning activities.
An on-the-ground example of such collaboration is provided in the story of the Hyatt Regency at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), which identified employee language skills as a key barrier hampering the hotel’s efforts to become a four-star facility. Through a partnership with labor, workforce, and other stakeholders, the hotel has been able to upgrade worker skills and obtain the coveted four-star rating.
Also being released today is a second fact sheet, which distills key findings from NSC’s report for a general audience. Low Skills are Widespread in the Service Sector, But Investments in Worker Upskilling Can Pay Off also summarizes key employer and policy recommendations.
Both fact sheets accompany NSC’s Foundational Skills in the Service Sector report, released last month. Slides from NSC’s webinar on the report are also available.
