New York ? It’s not just students who need to brush up on their writing.

A majority of U.S. employers say about one-third of workers do not meet the writing requirements of their positions, according to a survey by the College Board’s National Commission on Writing.

“Businesses are really crying out — they need to have people who write better,” said College Board President Gaston Caperton.

While writing has always held a spot in American education as one of the three Rs, many say writing clearly and accurately is more important than ever — and not all workers are up to the task.

In a fast-paced workplace, precision and brevity are essential. For e-mails, reports and presentations, the commission found that accuracy, clarity, spelling, punctuation, grammar and conciseness ranked among the most sought-after skills.

The commission surveyed Business Roundtable members in six sectors — mining; construction; manufacturing; transportation and utilities; services; and finance, insurance and real estate.

While lackluster writing skills do not necessarily impede success in all realms, more than half of the companies surveyed reported that they assess writing in hiring and promoting salaried employees.

The solution?

The College Board, which administers the SAT, PSAT and Advanced Placement tests, says the responsibility lies with grade schools and universities — but training represents another potential solution.

“You’re never too old to learn,” said Bob Kerrey, co-chair of the writing commission and president of the New School University in New York City. “It’s a skill that is acquirable.”