Canadian adults rank above their peers in other countries when it comes to being able to problem solve in technology-rich environments, but there are also a high number of adults in the country who lack basic literacy and numeracy skills, according to a new international survey of adult competency.
The Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development measured literacy, numeracy and problem-solving skills in 22 member nations in 2012.
The study reveals a polarization of skills within the population, with a large number of Canadians mastering highly complex problem solving skills but a comparably large number unable to read and work with numbers at a level necessary for modern life.
Problem solving in technology-rich environments is defined as the ability to use digital technology, communications tools and networks to acquire and evaluate information, communicate with others and perform practical tasks.
The OECD evaluated these skills in terms of five levels of competency.
Overall, 7% of Canadians performed at the highest competency level, with only Sweden having a higher percentage of adults who were skilled at solving problems involving multiple applications and a large number of steps.
Among Canadians surveyed, 37% scored at the top two levels of competency, which was more than the OECD average of 34%.
Both Ontario and Alberta had a higher than average number of adults with strong computer literacy skills.
At the same time, 15% of Canadians were at or below the lowest level of competency, three percentage points higher than the OECD average. These individuals had the basic information and communication technology skills to take the test but had difficulty solving problems.
The findings point to a polarized workforce, with a large number of technology-literate, innovative thinkers but also a large percentage who lack basic skills.
The survey also points to some disturbing trends in numeracy and literacy in Canada.
It found 17% of Canadians were at the lowest level of literacy, with 4% demonstrating only basic vocabulary and the ability to locate a single piece of information in a brief written text.
Facility with numbers was also wanting, with 23% of Canadians performing at the lowest level, compared to 19% for the OECD.
So, while Canada is generally on a par with the OECD nations for literacy and slightly below for numeracy skills, there is still a large group of adults who don’t have the basic tools for coping in an information-saturated world.
