23,000 Adults Benefit From Essential Skills Training

16 May 2006
23,000 ADULTS BENEFIT FROM ESSENTIAL SKILLS TRAINING
Over 23,000 adults in Northern Ireland are benefiting from the Government's Essential Skills campaign.
The campaign, which has been fronted by the 'Gremlins' and recently celebrated its third anniversary, has helped participants brush up on their reading, writing and maths skills.
Maria Eagle, Minister for Employment and Learning, welcomed the success of the campaign: "For many adults in Northern Ireland, the difficulties they experience with reading, writing and maths are not only an inconvenience, but can often have a severe impact on their quality of life.
"Filling in job applications, getting a driving licence or even taking courses at work, all of which enhance our quality of life and job prospects, can be a challenge to many. This lack of good Essential Skills can prevent people going for promotion at work, managing their finances effectively, or even helping their children with homework."
Investment in Essential Skills is not only helping improve the quality of individuals' lives, it also plays a key role in the Government's recently unveiled Skills Strategy, which aims to secure the competitiveness of the economy by raising the skills levels of the workforce.
Highlighting the significance of the Essential Skills campaign to the economy, the Minister said: "We realise the fundamental importance of raising skills levels locally. By improving the levels of reading, writing and maths in the workforce, we are not only enabling employers to unlock the potential of their staff, we are also enabling thousands outside the labour market to take their first steps into employment and out of exclusion and disadvantage."
In conclusion, the Minister welcomed the news that so many people had received help to beat their 'Gremlins': "It is encouraging to see the number of people who have already responded to our campaign. These individuals have taken the first important steps in overcoming the barriers that often prevent people from fulfilling their full potential."
The help provided to adults contacting the helpline is confidential and tailored to meet the individual's needs. By ringing 0800 100 900, details can be obtained about FREE courses available across the province, which have already improved the lives of thousands of people.
NOTES TO EDITORS:
1. The Essential Skills campaign began in April 2003.
2. The 'Gremlins' commercials feature a range of situations where people's personal literacy and numeracy 'gremlins' make life difficult for them or prevent them from doing what they want.
3. On February 21st 2006 the Secretary of State launched a further Ł35m initiative, called the Skills and Science Fund. The package will further enhance investment in skills and training programmes for young people. It will tackle economic inactivity and increase the skills of the working age population and is also geared to improve the science base to help NI compete more effectively in highly skilled international markets.
4. Information regarding adult literacy and numeracy courses can be obtained by calling the "Learning Works" free phone number 0800 100 900.
5. Media enquiries to the Department for Employment and Learning Press Office on 028 9025 7872.

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