A new survey of leaders from a consortium of business research organizations finds the incoming generation sorely lacking in basic work place skills, according to a report released Monday.
The report is based on a survey of 431 human resource officials that was conducted in April and May by The Conference Board, Corporate Voices for Working Families, the Partnership for 21st Century Skills and the Society for Human Resource Management.
“The future work force is here, and it is ill-prepared,” says the report.
The findings reflect employers’ growing frustration over the lack of basic knowledge and skills among young workers.
“It is clear from the report that greater communication and collaboration between the business sector and educators is critical to ensure that young people are prepared to enter the workplace of the 21st century,” says Richard E. Cavanagh, president and CEO of The Conference Board. “Less than intense preparation in critical skills can lead to unsuccessful futures for America’s youth, as well as a less competitive U.S. work force. This ultimately makes the U.S. economy more vulnerable in the global marketplace.
More than 40 percent of surveyed employers say incoming high-school graduates are inadequately prepared for the entry-level jobs they fill. The report finds that recent high school graduates lack the basic skills in reading comprehension, writing and math, which many respondents say are vital for successful job performance.
