As part of our Future of Literacy project, we are examining what it means to be literate in an increasingly digital world. This means not only exploring what literacy skills are needed within a classroom and education setting to best interact with generative AI and digital advancements, but also how can we equip young people to be ready to step into the workplace once they have finished their education?
In this next blog in our Future of Literacy series, Corrine Harms, Deputy Head of Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability at KPMG, discusses her involvement in the project and how, in conversation with businesses, we are exploring the literacy skills which matter most, how we can ensure that rapid technological advancements do not widen the digital divide and how schools can work with employers to better prepare students for the modern workforce so that no child is left behind.
The power of collaboration to tackle shared social issues
KPMG has partnered with the National Literacy Trust since 2012. Over the last decade, we have worked alongside the charity to support a range of projects from early years programmes and criminal justice; to joining forces to improve access to oracy and employability skills, and address book poverty.
Our partnership has always been agile, ready to respond to the key challenges of the day. Together, we want to come together to drive real change.
The Future of Literacy Project provides another opportunity to join the national conversation on technology, discussing the way it’s revolutionising the world of work, as well as giving us an opportunity to find some collective solutions.
There is strength in unifying our voice too – bringing together different perspectives from business and education together with National Literacy Trust, means that we can co-develop solutions that will create a lasting impact.
What do we want to achieve with the Future of Literacy project?
The skills required to optimise the use of technology are evolving, and that’s changing what it means to be literate. At the heart of the Future of Literacy conversation is a desire to make sure no young person is left behind by the tech revolution and ensure they are ready to achieve their potential in a changing world of work.
Businesses rely on the skills and talents of their people and it is imperative that we support the next generation to develop the literacy skills they need to thrive at work in the face of rapid technological change. In doing so, we empower young people, and lay the foundations for a healthy and productive economy.
At KMPG, we hope that the conversation around the Future of Literacy project will achieve several key outcomes for the business community:
- Create open discussion and consultation into what literacy skills are required, and most valued, by employers in a digital age.
- Raise awareness of the challenges surrounding young people’s literacy in relation to technology, AI and digital advancements.
- Build a better common understanding between employers and educators, and discover new ways of collaboration.
What literacy skills do young people need to set them up for employability?
Over the last few months, we have conducted a wide range of conversations and interviews across the business sector. They are telling us that the literacy skills they seek in young people are:
- The written skills to create effective prompts using AI and to iterate these.
- The analytical skills to sift and evaluate AI outputs
- Business reasoning – the oracy skills to put forward a case or recommendation concisely. We’re often dealing with masses of information in a digital first age – selecting information to make an argument is key.
- The listening skills to digest complex and sensitive information, including news and current affairs, and grapple with nuance.
- The literacy skills which fuel creativity and imagination, recognising that AI can be a co-pilot for brainstorming, but the human is still very much needed.
- The skills developed by reading enjoyment and writing for pleasure. Individuals with a lifelong learning mindset are those who have an intrinsic motivation and curiosity to learn; so much of that mindset is developed through literacy for pleasure, where we learn because we want to, not because a teacher says we have to.
What are the barriers to digital inclusion or accessing the 'future of literacy'?
Digital barriers remain, with a divide over who has access to what technology, as well as the reality of data poverty. However, the ubiquitous nature of the smartphone means that many young people do currently have at least some access to technology, the internet and evolving apps, and in particular the growing range of AI tools. Despite this, our enquiry into digital technology is firmly focused on equity, and that means asking ourselves not only who has access to technology but also:
- Which groups might be more cautious in engaging with technology?
- How are people supported to experiment and upskill? This could look like the growth opportunities they are offered, empowerment to take initiative, or safe ways to develop resilience through trial and error?
- Where might ethical or sustainability concerns impact adoption of AI? And what’s the role of employers and regulators in building trust?
- Which education providers have access to employers to understand the changing world of work?
- Which schools are forging ahead with integrating AI into their classroom practice whilst others lack the time or resource to grapple with it?
How can businesses and educators work together to mitigate against the threats and harness the opportunities?
Technology, generative AI and digital advancements offer great opportunities for literacy and upskilling but we need to be aware of the risks and challenges too.
We are acutely aware that we are all grappling with an evolving digital landscape in real time which means we are learning as we go, discovering challenges and opportunities around generative AI, as an example, at the same time as implementing new ways of working and learning.
We need to mobilise quickly to ensure businesses and schools are aligned on what is needed in the workplace now and in the future, and that young people – and particularly those from lower socio-economic backgrounds – grasp the explicit link between literacy skills and workplace skills in a digital first world.
The Future of Literacy project is about bringing that to the fore and ensuring that we develop the right policies and ways of working and shared understanding to move forward.
And the opportunities are huge – businesses of every size and sector will have a demand for young people with the literacy skills needed to thrive in a digital first world. These same businesses have a huge commercial – as well as social - imperative to ensure that young people acquire these skills.
Practical steps to build a common understanding between employers and educators
Business has a real role to play in helping students to understand the ‘real world’ application of their literacy skills in a digital-first workplace. Many of the employers we’ve spoken to offer students the opportunity to experience the world of work first hand. At KPMG, for example, last year we welcomed over 5,000 students into our offices to explore the changing world of work, but there is more to be done to make the link between literacy and future jobs more explicit.
Our upcoming report will explore practical ways that employers and educators can build a shared understanding of the Future of Literacy, helping to unlock the many opportunities it can bring to our next generation of talent.
What can you do next?
We'd love to hear from businesses and educators
If you’re a business or educator who would like to share your views, please contact us at futureofliteracy@literacytrust.org.uk, before the end of September 2025.
Future of Literacy papers coming soon!
Be the first to read our Future of Literacy papers which will be published during Autumn 2025. Sign up to our regular Literacy news email here.
Consider corporate partnership
Have you been inspired by how we work in partnership? We'd to chat through opportunities for future partnerships with businesses so that together, we can make a difference and raise literacy levels. Contact us via partnerships@literacytrust.org.uk.
Our Words for Work programmes and resources
Educators, explore our range of Words for Work programmes which bring together schools, colleges and organisations to equip students with the literacy skills they need for life beyond education.