According to a study conducted by the Canada West Foundation, 40 percent of Canadian employees lack the basic skills to perform their jobs. The study found productivity could be boosted in nearly every sector if employees could improve their basic math, reading, and writing skills. Roughly half of workers without a high school diploma have holes in their skill sets, and 30 percent of university graduates also have deficiencies. A previous report from the same organization found that out of all the basic skills, literacy was the most important, accounting for 33 percent of wage discrepancies between comparable workers. The study recommended that employers invest in training to increase productivity and competitiveness, and also recommended the Canadian education system, both primary and secondary, place a higher priority on essential skills training. "Today's economy is driven by innovation and competition, and skills have become the global currency," according to the study.