Latest News: June 2008

Skills for Life - A NIACE Policy Briefing

A Skills for Life debate was held in Westminster Hall at 2.30pm on Thursday 26th June 2008. NIACE produced a briefing paper to inform the debate and has circulated it to a number of MPs.

Skills for Life is the national strategy for improving adult literacy and numeracy in England. It was launched by David Blunkett before the 2001 election and was the Government’s response to the report (A Fresh Start) commissioned from Sir Claus (now Lord) Moser. The report found that:

‘Seven million people have poor literacy and numeracy skills, including around half a million or more who struggle with English because it is not their first language. This has disastrous consequences for the individuals concerned, weakens the country’s 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.’

Spending on the Skills for Life programme has increased from £167 million in 2000-01 to £995 million in 2006-07 and the programme has been well scrutinised, most recently by the National Audit Office in a report (HC 482 Session 2007-2008) published on 6 June 2008. During this period 2 million learners have gained a first certificate, mainly in literacy and ESOL and 3 million have participated successfully overall. However numeracy still remains severely underdeveloped. Furthermore, during these years ESOL tripled in response to significant demand, particularly from Eastern European migrants. Spending was subsequently capped leaving an important number of settled British citizens without access to English language courses.

It is estimated that in order for 1.5 million learners to achieve a qualification, at least 4 million need to be actively involved in learning. This in turn involves widening participation to include large numbers of people who might have had negative experiences of education in the past and who might need persuading to get back into learning.

NIACE's comments:

“Skills for Life is a world-class programme – a strategic, significantly funded and comprehensive attempt over more than one electoral cycle seeking to improve the literacy, language and numeracy skills of a significant number of people. The Government deserves credit for the sustained commitment it has made. But there is plenty of room for further improvement and achieving our targets should not make us complacent, as the most marginalised learners are yet to be reached. ”

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Inquiry calls for evidence on lifelong learning and sustainable development

In spite of the growing public and political awareness of the challenge posed by climate change in recent years, there is still a huge amount to be done if this awareness is to be translated into meaningful action. Because of the role lifelong learning can play in enabling both action and an informed public debate, the Inquiry into the Future for Lifelong Learning - sponsored by NIACE - is putting out a public call for evidence on lifelong learning and sustainable development. Interested individuals and organisations are invited to submit written evidence to the Inquiry by 7th August 2008.

Tom Schuller, Director of the Inquiry, comments:

“As citizens almost all of us are aware that sustainable development poses huge challenges. However many of us are baffled by the complexities of the issues. This is an absolutely crucial area where lifelong learning can counter people’s feelings of powerlessness. But there remain many questions about how such learning opportunities should be developed and delivered, as well as their content. This is an area where we need a lot of work quickly to establish who should have responsibility for what, and this is exactly what the Inquiry will address.”

The Inquiry invites submissions that address the following questions:

And in particular,

Source: NIACE Press Release: "Inquiry calls for evidence on lifelong learning and sustainable development" - [PDF] Released On 26/06/2008

Related Link:

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Adult education seeks to reverse the decline in science

At a time when enthusiasm for science-learning is falling significantly – ten per cent of science courses in universities and colleges have closed in a decade - a conference, First Steps in Science for Adults, is being organised by the National Institute of Adult Continuing Education (NIACE) and the National Science Learning Centre. The two-day event which starts on Monday 23rd June 2008, will bring together tutors to share best practice in developing community projects that engage more adults in science.

In addition to the decline in the number of science courses in FE and HE institutions, the number of PhDs awarded for science subjects has dropped by 8% over the last ten years. Research also shows that pupils’ attitude to science declines progressively as they go through secondary school.

Susan Easton (NIACE Senior Project Officer), said:

"A survey we did last year found that the kind of community science programmes we’ll be showcasing at the conference are very successful. They are particularly good at engaging adults from under-represented groups, especially those from black and ethnic minority communities and adults with mental health difficulties. The most popular courses focus on issues of interest to learners and their families like health, fitness and psychology. Community-based science provision brings adults back into education, helps them deal with issues of real importance in their lives, and offers them progression routes into further learning."

Source: NIACE Press Release: "Adult education seeks to reverse the decline in science" - [PDF] Released On 19/06/2008

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NIACE responds to the consultation on the future of informal adult learning

NIACE has submitted a response to the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills on the consultation on the future of informal adult learning launched by the Secretary of State John Denham MP.

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Charter for Workplace Learning

NIACE consulted with workplace learners and stakeholders about what makes learning at work, work. From these discussions NIACE has produced a Charter for Workplace Learning featuring ten factors which can make workplace learning successful.

Or order a hard copy from Rebecca Czechowicz - rebecca.czechowicz@niace.org.uk

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The role colleges can play in supporting community cohesion

At a time when the issue of community cohesion is high on the agenda, a conference looking at the role that Further Education (FE) Colleges can play in promoting community cohesion - organised by the National Institute of Adult Continuing Education (NIACE) – will take place at the London Chamber of Commerce and Industry on Monday 16th June 2008.

The How colleges can promote community cohesion conference comes at a time when the government is investing £50 million over the next three years to promote initiatives and has recently released a public consultation document on the topic of community cohesion. This Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills (DIUS)/Association of Colleges document -The Role of Further Education Providers in Promoting Community Cohesion, Fostering Shared Values and Preventing Violent Extremism - focuses on promoting community cohesion as a fundamental factor for combating the perceived threat of Al-Qaida terrorism.

Speakers at the conference include Bill Rammell (Minister for Lifelong Learning, Further and Higher Education), Dr Abdul Bari (Secretary General of the Muslim Council of Britain), Stella Mbubaegbu (Principal of Highbury College, Portsmouth) and Sally Hunt (General Secretary, University & College Union). Delegates will be given ideas on how to create a practical strategy of supporting community cohesion as well as how to make a case for government funds to support any initiatives.

Paul Mackney, NIACE Associate Director (FE), said:

“This conference will help people wrestle with the many hard questions that have been raised in the FE sector over this issue. Questions have been asked about whether our colleges are potential breeding grounds for terrorists and whether we are doing enough to eradicate racism. We need information on how secular colleges should relate to Faith Leaders and how we can improve communication between groups from different cultures.”

Bill Rammell MP said,:

“Colleges have a great deal to contribute to the promotion of community cohesion, from the specialist work of providing English teaching for speakers of other languages to something as simple and yet as powerful as providing an environment where people from different social groups can build positive relationships as they learn alongside one another. The FE sector offers a vast range of opportunities for learners from a diverse range of backgrounds and communities. This is one of its strengths. FE also provides a really important environment for fostering shared values of respect, tolerance and freedom of expression which underpin community cohesion."

Source: NIACE Press Release: "The role colleges can play in supporting community cohesion" - [PDF] Released On 09/06/2008

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