This has disastrous consequences for the individuals concerned, weakens our ability to compete in the global economy and places a huge burden on society. People with poor literacy, numeracy and language skills tend to be on lower incomes or unemployed, and they are more prone to ill health and social exclusion.
Skills for Life is the Government’s strategy for improving adult literacy and numeracy skills. It marks a decisive step in tackling the basic skills problem. It is a co-ordinated cross-Government and multi-agency strategy, with clear objectives to tackle the legacy of poor skills. The Strategy caters for the literacy, language (English for Speakers of Other Languages - ESOL) and numeracy needs of all post-16 learners, including those with learning difficulties or disabilities, from pre-entry level up to and including level 2 (the equivalent of a good school leaving certificate at age 16).
The first priority is to improve the skills of those groups where literacy and numeracy needs are greatest and where we can make most impact, particularly:
- unemployed people and benefit claimants
- prisoners and those supervised in the community
- public sector employees
- low-skilled people in employment
- other groups at risk of exclusion.
Every adult who is improving his or her literacy and numeracy skills will be given support. Education and training provision is entirely free, no matter where it is or who provides it.
There has been great progress. Since 2001, over 2.4 million adults have taken up a total of 4.8 million courses in literacy, language and numeracy skills with over a third of these learners going on to achieve nationally recognised qualifications. In the North West over 118,000 adults achieved nationally recognised qualifications.
The Government remains focussed in its work with partners to ensure that 2.25 million adults are helped to improve their literacy, language and numeracy skills by 2010. The Skills for Life Strategy is designed to ensure that every relevant organisation, at national and local level, can contribute by working to a common set of objectives and within a clear national framework.
