Basic Skills in the Services Friday, August 20, 2010 - 15:25

Achievement rates across the Armed Services are higher than the national average, reports a summary of research into the impact of basic skills provision in the three Services.

The research has also found that the substantial infrastructure of basic skills support and provision is improving educational aspirations, delivering more qualifications and increasing confidence for personnel.

The Armed Forces Basic Skills Longitudinal Study Stage 1 summary, the first stage of a three-part research, also shows that:

• almost all trainees in the Royal Navy want to improve their English and numeracy;
• listening and communication skills are regarded by all staff and trainees as core skills in Army life; and
• provision has had an impact on study skills, note-taking and time management in the Royal Air Force.

Carol Taylor, a Director of Operations at NIACE, said:

"The Basic Skills Agency, and now NIACE, has been working alongside the Army for over 7 years, developing the basic skills of the workforce in order that they can carry out their jobs as effectively as possible."

"This piece of research, a three year longitudinal study, follows soldiers, sailors and airmen/women from the time they sign up and will provide a unique, fascinating and highly important set of data. The interim findings are already showing the impact of improving employees' basic skills on their vocational training, their ability to enjoy their down time, and their view of themselves as learners."

The research, by NIACE and NRDC, has been commissioned by the Ministry of Defence (MoD) and Department for Business, Innovation & Skills (BIS), to examine the impact of Basic Skills interventions on personnel in the Armed Services.

The final report will be published in June 2011.