BUSINESSES in Dorset are being urged to tackle poor literacy and numeracy among the workforce.

The Learning and Skills Council (LSC) South West has dubbed the issue a taboo subject among employers and their staff.

It claims that recent research from the CBI revealed that nationally 5.2 million adults lack the English skills expected of a 14-year-old and 14.9 million would be unable to match them at maths.

John Tempest, who is director of Skills Development (Skills for Life) at the LSC South West, said: "Basic literacy and numeracy skills are a real taboo.

"Many employers either don't recognise it or don't talk about it.

"However, it is clear that a lack of skills is having an impact on productivity, at a time when the economy can least afford it.

"The good news is that the LSC has a range of programmes in place that can help employers, be they in the public or private sector, to support those employees who need to improve their basic skills."

The LSC claims that one in five of the working population currently does not possess sufficient skills for life'.

This is defined as the ability to read, write and speak in English and to use mathematics at a level necessary to function at work and in society'. A total of 1.75 million adults in the South West still have literacy and numeracy skills below Level 2 - the equivalent level to a C grade at GCSE.

Now the LSC is calling on the business community to play their part in addressing this subject, and in particular, help to identify the training requirements of their workforce.

As part of the 21st Century Skills White Paper produced by Lord Leitch, the Government is committed to ensuring 95 per cent of the population has functional' levels of literacy and numeracy by 2020.

The aim is to help to significantly combat the current skill gaps between the UK and other G7 nations.

The LSC says that currently output per hour worked is around 25 per cent higher in the US and Germany and over 30 per cent higher in France.

The first step for many employers towards addressing this issue is the signing of the Skills Pledge.

Created by the LSC, it is a voluntary, public commitment made by a company to support its employees to develop their basic skills, including literacy and numeracy.

This is supported by the Train to Gain service which helps individuals, through their employers, work towards achieving qualifications to at least NVQ Level 2.