02-15-2007Because the problem of illiteracy is so pervasive, the Lilly Foundation is dedicating $1.25 million to it over the next three years.
Of the 3 million working adults in Indiana, 1 million cannot read beyond a fourth-grade level, according to Jane Howard, Ready Indiana executive director.
“About one out of three current working adult’s education is below the fourth-grade level,“ she said. “That means they have a hard time finding an intersection on a map. Filling out an application, beyond the very basic name, address and Social Security number, is difficult for them.
“It’s a terrible role model for youngsters.”
Howard visited with a local group of business people and Warsaw/Kosciusko County Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Joy McCarthy-Sessing Tuesday.
Ready Indiana does not make grant awards or provide training programs. It will provide a statewide data base listing training programs for small- and medium-sized businesses.
“Workplace requirements are changing,” Howard said. “Competition is based on a global economy. Employees have to keep learning and changing to keep the workforce strong.”
The services can be for anything from base-level reading, writing and mathematic skills to advanced financial training.
Workers need what Howard calls “soft skills,” too: Soft skills are the commitment to come to work on time and ready to work when they arrive. They include the ability to read instructions to work independently or work with a team. People skills, as opposed to technical skills.
“Companies like Lake City Bank and Biomet have their own training operations to help employees,” Howard said. “The people I’m trying to help are small- or medium-sized businesses. The people who don’t have in-house training facilitaters and can figure out how to improve productivity or the skill level of their workers.”
Although her office is housed at the Indiana Chamber of Commerce, a business owner doesn’t have to be a Chamber member to take advantage of the two-month-old program. It is open to any Indiana business.
Joyce Foundation money will go for the creation of a “report card” of facilitaters, listing their services and how well a business considered those services presented.
Howard said the pool of trainers is huge. There is a vast number of literacy groups, academic groups and individual consultants able to provide training programs.
“When you’re a small- or medium-sized company, you’re trying to keep doors open and pay your people,” Howard said.
There is a great need for English as a second language training, for example. The data base will list organizations that offer this service.
Eventually an evaluation of the training groups will be available.
Ready Indiana will offer funding resources. Also on the Web site www.readyindiana.org will be case studies of companies in this area showing employment size and what their experiences of specific training were.
“We’ve got to carry the message to employees that learning doesn’t end when you get a high school or college degree.
“The economy is changing so much, workplace is demanding we keep refining our skills and be life-long learners.”
Trainers can get on “the list” after mid-March. They can submit information on the Internet or have the option of e-mailing the information to info@readyindiana.org The e-mail address already is active.
Ready Indiana’s toll-free number is 866-444-1082.
Howard said Ready Indiana came from a state Chamber advisory committee’s study. She worked as a Verizon’s media and community relations representative and for the Verizon Foundation then. The Verizon Foundation’s focus was on literacy and workforce development.
“This is a particular passion of mine. I’ve been involved with literacy and workforce issues for most of my life. I have a lot desire in this field. We can really make a difference.
“In the Warsaw area, you are so lucky to have the orthopedic industry and its educated people. They’re going to have the kind of education for engineering and science. But you need people to keep these industries going.
“It’s a huge problem in our state. We need communities to be strong. Having an educated workforce is the key way to accomplish that. Employers need to take the lead.”
Howard added that many workers don’t see overall connection between a successful employer and how that benefits them, their family, extended family and their community.
“Businesses need to get the message to employees and students in high school and middle school. These are the expectations, this is what is expected when you come up through the ranks.
“I don’t think it’s a story we’re going to tell quickly or easily,” Howard said. “It will take a while to get programs up and running wherever I need to go, to help, that’s where I’ll go.”