(DIUS Press Release) Plans to improve the numeracy and literacy skills of one million adults to help them to get and keep jobs were published on Monday 9 March by Sion Simon, Minister for Further Education. Skills for Life: Changing lives updates the Government's successful Skills for Life strategy launched in 2001, which has helped transform the lives and the employability of nearly 3 million learners.
The new strategy document sets out: - A new drive to ensure Skills for Life training will help people develop the skills they need to find and progress in work;
- What is being done to increase the opportunities for people to do Skills for Life learning embedded in wider vocational training programmes so that, for example, people learning carpentry learn numeracy at the same time;
- Support for colleges and providers to make Skills for Life learning more flexible so it meets the needs of individual learners and fits in with their busy lives;
- What the 'Get On' campaign to boost demand for Skills for Life training is doing to tackle the culture which says "it's OK to be bad at maths";
- How jobseekers will have the opportunity and support they need to improve their literacy, language and numeracy skills while they're looking for jobs; and
- How delivery of Skills for Life at work will be expanded through the Train to Gain service.
The updated strategy will be backed up with Government funding of more than £1bn over the coming year.
Sion Simon, Minister for Further Education, said:
"Our Skills for Life strategy has helped nearly three million adults improve their skills, but the world has changed since we launched it in 2001. The current economic conditions make it even more crucial that people have the numeracy and literacy skills they need for work and for helping their families, and that's why we're publishing a refreshed strategy today.
"We are working with providers to make sure our numeracy and literacy courses are tailored to what people want and need in their lives, and I particularly want to tackle the culture which says that it's ok to be bad at maths.
"We're offering adults real help to improve their skills and there are free numeracy and literacy courses for all adults who want one - just call 0800 66 0800 or visit our website and find out about the free courses in your local area."
TUC General Secretary Brendan Barber said:
"The TUC knows that access to learning can transform lives for working people. With the help of their union learning representatives (ULRs) and employers, many workers have benefited from the Government's Skills for Life Strategy, gaining new skills and qualifications that help them get on at work, support their children with schoolwork and contribute confidently to their communities and unions. We are pleased to see Government restating and refreshing its commitment to Skills for Life, and the TUC will play its part in contributing to its success."
NIACE welcomed the refreshed Skills for Life strategy and the Government's continued commitment to improving the literacy, language and numeracy of adults and young people.
Alan Tuckett, Chief Executive of NIACE, said,
"The Government has achieved a great deal since the launch of Skills for Life but no one should be under any illusions about how far we have to go to make improvements in numeracy skills commensurate with literacy, and to ensure that provision is directed towards those most in need. This strategy is a strong commitment which we welcome." The updated strategy is published as the "Get On" advertising campaign promoting free adult maths courses returns to our TV screens. The three week burst of TV advertising, which started on 2 March, is complemented by radio advertising which starts on 9 March and an ongoing PR campaign. The strategy refresh details how these marketing efforts will be renewed and extended to reach even more adults and employers. Since March 2008, the Get On campaign has generated 19,613 phone calls and over 70,000 visits to the campaign website, with 20,662 adults requesting a free Skills for Life DVD.
People with good maths and English skills are more likely to be in employment, with half of all jobs closed to people with skills below level 1 (equivalent to a GCSE pass at grade D to G) and 98% of jobs closed to people with skills below entry level. In addition, better skills bring significant wage returns: research shows an earnings premium of at least 12% for good numeracy skills and 14% for good literacy skills. Previously published research shows that, on average, people with good basic skills can earn an additional £50,000 over their lifetime.
There are wider benefits for families, local communities and society associated with good numeracy and literacy skills, including better health and civic participation. The positive relationship between parents' literacy and numeracy skills and children's cognitive development shows how the skills of adults are crucial for the success of the next generation.
The Skills for Life strategy was launched in 2001. Since then, an unprecedented £5bn investment has enabled 5.7 million adults to improve their skills on 12 million courses, with 2.8 million achieving first qualifications. Looking forward, the Government's long-term ambition is for 95% of adults to have functional literacy and numeracy skills by 2020, up from 85% and 79% respectively in 2005.
This focus on adult numeracy is part of a comprehensive plan to improve numeracy skills at all ages and builds on the good work going on in schools which has led to tens of thousands more pupils leaving school mastering the basics compared to a decade ago. The document Skills for Life: a refreshed strategy for a world class ambition can be downloaded from the DIUS website.
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