Words for Work

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.