Words for Work
Words for Work is the National Literacy Trust’s flagship communication and aspirations programme. The programme gives young people from disadvantaged communities the literacy and communication skills they need to reach their potential.
The programme gives young people the opportunity to develop their oracy skills in authentic contexts with a diverse range of inspiring professionals. We empower young people to build their confidence and make informed choices about their futures.
About the programme
Literacy and communication skills are vitally important in the workplace, with higher levels of essential skills such as speaking, listening, leadership and teamwork being associated with higher incomes and reducing the probability of being out of work. Such skills are highly valued by employers, and in 2022, Teach First found that broad “soft skills” such as communication and presenting, as well as literacy and numeracy skills, were among the top factors considered by employers when recruiting young people.
However, 72% of these employers were concerned about young people’s level of broader skills for the workplace, such as communication and presentation, and 68% showed concern about their levels of literacy and numeracy skills. These concerns about the absence of relevant workplace skills can make employers hesitant to recruit young people and presents a barrier to employment.
Words for Work aims to:
- Demonstrate the importance of literacy for success at work and in life through engaging with a diverse range of inspiring professionals
- Provide young people with opportunities to practise and develop their oracy skills in authentic contexts
- Give students confidence in their own abilities which will encourage them to think about their future aspirations
Words for Work brings schools, colleges and organisations together to support students to prepare for life beyond school. We work with a multitude of organisations that believe in the importance of giving young people the skills they need for future success.
Our programmes
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Together schools and local businesses support primary aged pupils to develop their literacy skills, raise aspirations and challenge stereotypes.Learn more
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Organisations open their doors to students giving them opportunities to unlock their oracy skills.Learn more
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Organisations open their doors to students giving them opportunities to unlock their oracy skills.Learn more
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Words for Work: Women in Leadership helps young women and non-binary students in post-16 education develop the literacy skills, leadership abilities and confidence they...Learn more
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The Words for Work Internship programme provides young people from disadvantaged communities the chance to gain insight into the working world. We work together with...Learn more
"Thank you for running the programme with our school. We really enjoyed it and felt that students benefitted a lot from understanding the importance of literacy and communication in the workplace"
Teacher from a Words for Work school
Get involved
Schools and colleges
If you would like to learn more about running our Words for Work and Dream Big programmes in your school or college, please sign up on the form below, and we'll be in touch.
Other enquiries
If you are interested in any aspect of our work, and would like to know how you can support us or get involved, please contact the team at wfw@literacytrust.org.uk
Success stories
Read more about how Words for Work has impacted students, schools and businesses.
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After two years of digital delivery, our Women in Leadership business masterclasses have returned to the classrooms.Learn more about The Women in Leadership masterclass returns to the classrooms.
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What did you want to be when you were five years old?Children from Thomas Buxton Primary School enjoyed hearing the answers to this question when they asked their six friendly...Learn more about Imagining our futures - pupils Dream Big with Chiltern Railways.
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Students from Acklam Grange, Middlesbrough took part in a five-week Words for Work programme in partnership with Middlesbrough FC Foundation.Learn more about Middlesbrough FC encourage communication skills in Key Stage 3.