Job applicants flunking

Manufacturing Engineering, Sep 2001

NEWS DESK

In 2000, more than 1/3 of job applicants lacked the reading and math skills to do the jobs they sought, according to an American Management Association (New York) survey of 1627 firms, which tested an average of 278 job applicants. An average of 34.1% applicants were rejected on skills, lower than in 1999 (38.3%). Overall, 41% of those surveyed required basic skills tests of job applicants versus 43% in 1999. Companies were more likely to test for math than reading skills. While 85% said they do not hire skills-deficient applicants, 7% do hire them and offer remedial training. See www.amanet.org/research for more information.