THE ECONOMIST: Literacy and the workforce – Odessa American

Literacy and its Impact on Job Opportunities and Workforce Shortage

Literacy plays a crucial role in society, enabling individuals to understand, evaluate, use, and engage with written texts. It empowers individuals to participate in society, achieve their goals, and develop their knowledge and potential. From an economic perspective, literacy also significantly enhances job opportunities and provides relief to the workforce shortage.

Levels of Literacy

According to the Program for the International Assessment of Adult Competencies (PIAAC), literacy levels can be categorized into different tiers. Below Level 1 literacy refers to adults who can read brief texts on familiar topics and locate specific information. They only require basic vocabulary knowledge and do not need to understand sentence or paragraph structures.

Level 3 literacy involves reading and comprehending dense, lengthy, or complex texts. This level of literacy, roughly equivalent to an eighth-grade level according to the National Literacy Trust, is generally associated with the ability to perform technical or professional labor. However, many adults lack this level of literacy, which is essential for pursuing higher education or certain occupations that require specialized skills obtained through on-the-job or shorter training programs.

Literacy Rates in Texas

Texas lags behind the national literacy rate by a significant margin, with several areas experiencing particularly low literacy rates. Approximately 28% of the state’s population falls below Level 1 literacy, compared to the national average of 22%. Moreover, only 40% of Texas adults have literacy at Level 3 or higher, while the national rate stands at 46%.

One contributing factor to low literacy rates in Texas is the large proportion of emerging English learners. Texas has a significantly higher percentage of public-school students classified as “English Learners” compared to other states. The state’s rate of 20.1% is nearly twice the national average of 10.3%. Improving literacy rates in Texas requires addressing both reading levels and language barriers that hinder employment opportunities.

Impact on Workforce Demand

The Texas economy is currently experiencing substantial growth, resulting in a growing demand for workers. Our projections indicate that approximately 38% of the workforce demand over the next 10 years, driven by economic growth and replacements, will be in jobs requiring Level 3 literacy. The occupations with the fastest growth in this category include General and Operations Managers, Registered Nurses, Truck Drivers, and Software Developers.

Improving literacy rates is crucial for workforce preparedness and enhancing the state’s prospects for future prosperity. From an individual perspective, higher literacy levels improve both quality of life and earning potential. By prioritizing literacy, Texas can make significant progress towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) outlined by the United Nations.

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