28 August 2006
NEW HELPLINE FOR ADULTS WITH ESSENTIAL SKILLS PROBLEMS
The Department for Employment and Learning (DEL) has launched a new helpline for adults looking to improve their essential skills.
By dialling 0800 660800 individuals can speak to an adviser seven days a week about the free literacy and numeracy courses which best suits their needs and to discuss any fears or concerns they may have. This number will feature on a new wave of "Lose Your Gremlins" advertising which begins today. People can also text "Press" to 60900 to receive details of available essential skills courses.
The Department is well on the way to meeting its target of supporting 46,000 adults through essential skills training by 2007 and according to Permanent Secretary, Aideen McGinley, it has been encouraged by the number of people who have already responded to the campaign.
Aideen explained: "If you have essential skills problems, you are not alone. You could join the 27,000 people in Northern Ireland who have already improved their lives by signing up to a course today.
"Literacy and numeracy skills form an integral part of every day life. For example, after attending an essential skills course, some adults read a newspaper for the first time and can understand what is happening in their community, others are able to fill in an application form and now have a job as a result."
Richard McKibbin, an essential skills learner at North Down Institute agrees with Aideen: "I have never looked back since I started literacy and numeracy courses at North Down Institute. My tutor Laura Frame has been really supportive and the classes are small enough that I can ask for help at any time. I was worried about what people would think of me when I joined the class but everyone was so welcoming. I am so glad that I picked up the phone for help and lost my gremlins."
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. Information regarding adult literacy and numeracy courses can be obtained by calling the Essential Skills free phone number 0800 660800 to speak to an adviser seven days a week from 8am - 10pm.
4. Media queries to the Department for Employment and Learning on Press Office on 028 9025 7872.
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