Ch. 10: Learning Basic Skills

Learning basic skills in the job market today is essential. Unfortunately, the way the school system is designed currently, elementary and high school students are still being taught using old teaching methods rather than capitalizing on emphasizing education surrounding the modalities of learning (visual, auditory, and kinesthetic). Technology is slowly being infused into the classroom, but not at the rapid pace of technology changing in the work force. Along with the basic abilities required of learning; reading, writing, mathematics, communication, and listening, students are also expected to have some knowledge of the learning areas described in the book (resources, interpersonal, information, systems, and technology). Many students graduating from high school are ill equipped to meet the needs of the workforce today. Many companies have recognized the gap basic coupled with the necessity to hire new people. The solution for many organizations is to include job training to employees to build on some of the core skills required to do basic functions of the job.

For example, the Granite Rock Company in Santa Cruz emphasizes family and employee personal growth. The company believes that if the employees are receiving personal benefit by learning how to read, take a math course, or other courses offered internally by the company, the employee in return can help their child with their homework, or become better qualified for other jobs in the company. The benefit to the employee and Granite Rock are high because the employee learns new skills, and Granite Rock retains a better employee worth promoting in the company. In the end, Granite Rock maintains a highly motivated workforce, a family atmosphere, skilled employees, and low turn-over rates.