Lord Mandelson and Skills Minister Kevin Brennan will today host an event to pay tribute to all those who have helped adults with their English and maths skills since a ground-breaking 1999 report found that one in five adults lacked basic literacy and numeracy. While great progress has been made, ministers stressed that there is still more to do.
Business Secretary Lord Mandelson said:
“The current climate makes it even more crucial that people get the literacy, language and numeracy skills they need for work and for helping their families.
“We must continue to help people grasp opportunities over the coming years so that the many, and not just the few, can benefit from the opportunities that growth will bring”.
Skills Minister Kevin Brennan said:
“The fact that nearly six million adults have taken courses to improve their literacy and numeracy skills through the Skills for Life strategy is great news. For people who can now challenge the shop assistant for short changing them, read a book for the first time and help their children with homework, improving their English and maths skills has quite literally changed their lives.
“The fact that we have been able to help so many people and give them back their confidence is testament to the hard work of teachers up and down the country. But it’s not just teachers we have to thank. Employers, union representatives and community leaders have worked very hard together with partners to make this happen. “
Declan MacIntyre from Brighton, who enrolled on a Skills for Life literacy course and has gone on to achieve a range of qualifications said:
"I now spend all my spare time reading for pleasure and love being able to read to my son every night. My new skills are helping both of us achieve more in our lives. I have now changed my job to a project worker so that I can help others improve their lives, in the same way I have been helped."
Deborah Blench, a 44-year-old mum of three from Gateshead who enrolled on Skills for Life courses last year in preparation for a new job as a home care worker said:
"Going back into learning wasn't half as scary as I had imagined. All my tutors have been wonderful and made me feel relaxed. It's nothing like the school classroom was nearly 30 years ago. Everybody really helps each other and there is a great atmosphere."
"I would recommend the Skills for Life qualifications to everyone as I've got a feeling of accomplishment and I am much more confident in all aspects of my life as a result."
Learning and Skills Council Chief Executive Geoff Russell said:
"Since LSC took over the delivery of Skills for Life courses we have been delighted with the increasing numbers of learners taking up the offer. In 2008 we launched a high-profile advertising campaign to help us connect with even more learners and raise awareness of the help available to people. This help comes in the form of free courses which offer an entirely different experience from school, focusing on helping adults improve their skills so they can deal with practical, everyday situations in life and work. As an added incentive, the courses can also lead to a nationally recognised qualification. For more information, please call one of our advisers free on 0800 66 0800 or visit www.direct.gov.uk/geton."
Today, BIS publishes further research evidence which shows that taking a literacy or numeracy course at college can improve adults’ self-esteem, may improve their health, increases their independence and improves their ability to conduct a wide range of everyday activities. It can also set adults on the path to further learning.
This research adds to a wealth of other evidence showing that learning new skills and gaining qualifications are excellent ways of improving social mobility, increasing people’s chances of gaining employment and progressing once in work.