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Investing in basic skills of at-risk groups: an illustration of the social investment agenda. Ides Nicaise, HIVA / Dept. Ed. Sc. (KU Leuven). Poverty risks by level of education. Some facts about low literacy in the EU (source: High-level Group on Literacy).
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Investing in basic skills of at-risk groups: an illustration of the social investment agenda Ides Nicaise, HIVA / Dept. Ed. Sc. (KU Leuven)
Poverty risks by level of education I. Nicaise – LLL foractiveinclusion
Some facts about low literacy in the EU(source: High-level Group on Literacy) • One in five 15-year oldsis low-literate /-numerate (in somecountries >40% !) • in the last decade, the problem has deteriorated • 73 millionadults have insufficientbasicskillsfor a decent living • Low-educatedadults are seventimeslesslikelytoparticipate in adulteducationthan average adults • Reaching the benchmark of 85% ‘functionalliteracy’ at age 15 wouldincreaselifetimeearningsby€ 21 trillion I. Nicaise – LLL for active inclusion
Europe 2020: headline target relating to early school leaving is insufficient • Linear reduction of ESL from 15 to 10% may reduce the financial poverty risk in the active population from 19 to 17.5% (due to small share of ESL in overall population) • Eradication of ESL by 2040 may reduce the financial poverty risk in the active population to 11-12%... by 2080 => More powerful strategy needed: large-scale programme for upgrading of basic skills among adults (see Novas Oportunidades in Portugal) I. Nicaise – LLL foractiveinclusion
Rethinking skills in Europe(forthcoming Communication of EC) • First comprehensive endeavour to co-ordinate and support basic skills upgrading across EU • Reading literacy • Numeracy and basic scientific skills • E-literacy • Foreign languages • Entrepreneurship • Skills matching on labour market • Remains (very) soft law (language benchmark? Council recommendation?) I. Nicaise – LLL for active inclusion