Single-digit literacy lift could add tens of billions to Canadian economy
By Kara Finney
The importance of literacy feels like it has been lost in our fast-paced world. Truth be told, it has, and this loss has significant and long-lasting impacts on the Canadian economy.
The Canada West Foundation, in its report, What Now? Opportunity Lost, explains that in today’s context, if Canada’s literacy rate increased by just one per cent on average, GDP would rise by three per cent – or the equivalent of $57 billion in additional economic output annually. This increase, however, would not be immediate but over a period of time as the skill-gain takes hold.
When I started in this role in 2010, conversations on literacy and numeracy gaps in Canada were taking place, and it was noted that if we could resolve the literacy gap there would be a direct positive impact to Canada’s GDP, healthcare systems, and future workforce. Fourteen years later, the narrative has not changed – but then, neither have we really moved on resolving the literacy gap.
In my opinion, literacy gaps in our country are purely related to access; access to what many of use take for granted. Examples include access to appropriate education systems including local schools that go beyond Grade 8 and, of course, reliable high-speed internet. There is a connection between lower literacy levels and poverty, but literacy, when looked at as “having the literacy levels to perform in their current occupation” – the statistics are clear. With the required workplace reading level being Level 3 (a range equating to Grades 10-12), the 2011 OECD Programme for the International Assessment of Adult Competencies (PIAAC) results showed a range of 38 per cent to 65 per cent of the population of individual provinces and territories did not have the required reading levels to perform successfully at work.
The PIAAC’s Study of Adult Skills has performed another assessment with the current data to be released soon. The question remains, are we moving the needle?
Now in the mix, we have Artificial Intelligence (AI) generating systems becoming more mainstream. AI certainly has its place if used appropriately, but the question is, how does this affect our literacy levels in the long term. In conversation with a co-worker about this article, the topic very quickly moved to how some would use AI to write this article. So, we put into an AI generator the topic “The Importance of Literacy.” This is what was provided.
Literacy is a fundamental skill that plays a crucial role in our everyday lives. It goes beyond just being able to read and write, but encompasses a wide range of skills and abilities that allow individuals to effectively communicate, comprehend, and critically analyze information. From a young age, literacy is essential in laying the foundation for learning and development. It allows children to understand the world around them, express their thoughts and emotions, and navigate through various academic and social settings.
As individuals grow and progress through their education and careers, literacy remains a vital skill. In today’s society, where technology and information are constantly evolving, the ability to read and understand complex texts is essential. It enables individuals to stay informed and engaged in their communities, make informed decisions, and actively participate in the democratic process. Literacy also opens up opportunities for personal and professional growth, as it is a key component in acquiring new knowledge and skills.
It becomes very tempting to just use AI when it provides this level of writing. With this though, are we only creating a growing population of Canadians with lower-level literacy? We assume that those using AI would want to read the article produced by AI for comprehension, but will we?
Based on the research article, From Poverty to Prosperity: Literacy’s Impact on Canada’s Economic Success, the cost to resolve the gap as of 2011 was estimated at $18 billion, with a likely result in generating an additional $100 billion in annual earnings across Canada. Of course, the cost is higher now just due to inflation.
What does it do to us as a society and our ability to relate to one another? What does it do to our ability to be successful within our own work and life? We will soon see how we are doing as the PIAAC results are analyzed and provided publicly and it will allow us to compare where we are now to where we were in 2011. Whether we’ve improved or not, there remains work to do.
Kara Finney is Chief Executive Officer of three partnering organizations: Workplace Education Manitoba (WEM), Essential Skills Manitoba (ESM), and Workplace Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (WPLAR) – organizations that directly support both Skills for Success and Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) across Manitoba and Canada. With extensive experience in manufacturing and supply chain, Kara understands the benefits and opportunities of integrating Skills for Success and RPL into the workplace and beyond.