The Connection between Literacy and Work: Implications for Social Assistance Recipients

Abstract

This study is based on the International Adult Literacy Survey (IALS) data. The study finds that there is a virtuous cycle between literacy and work: Literacy is important for employability, but employment is also important in maintaining literacy. Absence from the work place has a negative effect on literacy. There is tentative evidence that encouraging employment will have long-term employability benefits through the improvement of skills. In other words, encouraging work among SARs may improve their employability not only because of the gain in work experience and improvement of work habits, but also because of a positive effect on their literacy.literacy, welfare, socail assistance