PIAAC Analysis for Change the Equation

The Programme for the International Assessment of Adult Competencies (PIAAC) provides vital data on how many adults possess skills and cognitive abilities in numeracy and technology. But policymakers, educators, industry leaders, and others want to know the impact having those competencies has on types of employment, pay, work tasks, job satisfaction, and more.

In response to a request from Change the Equation (CTEq), AIR conduced an analysis of data on skills of the adult population using data from PIAAC. Analyses found that large portions of the population had relatively low skills in terms of numeracy and also solving problems in a technological environment. Despite this, most individuals felt they had adequate skills and were not held back in the labor market because of a lack of skills. Analysis of wages found that computer skills had an impact on wages, distinct form literacy, and numeracy skills.