Essential skills pivotal to sustained economic growth - Empey

03 April 2008

Employment and Learning Minister, Sir Reg Empey, today stressed the importance of essential skills learning to the growth of the local economy.

The Minister was speaking at the first ever Essential Skills awards, where 16 people received awards for outstanding achievement, with Stephen Boden from Newcastle clinching the title of “Essential Skills Learner of the Year”.

Sir Reg paid tribute to the achievements of the winners and emphasised the importance of this learning to the Northern Ireland economy.  He said: “Since the Essential Skills Strategy began in 2002, over 37,000 qualifications have been achieved across Northern Ireland.  Evidence shows that when people have these skills it can improve outcomes in many areas of their lives, many of which are intangible, including greater self esteem and a growing sense of aspiration.  However, there are also measurable outcomes in terms of sustained employment, career progression and increased income.  These outcomes are in turn the cornerstone of our economic success.”

The Essential Skills Awards were launched in November 2007 to recognise and celebrate outstanding achievements in literacy and numeracy learning.  There are six regional award winners, an overall Learner of the Year and ten Highly Commended entries.

The Minister continued: “These awards are a fantastic way of acknowledging the enormous commitment to learning by adults of all ages and from all backgrounds.  Some of these learners have overcome many obstacles and may have had doubts in the past about their abilities, but their experiences show how lives and careers can be immeasurably improved through learning.”

NOTES TO EDITOR:

1.  Award Winners – Pen Pictures

Stephen Boden – Essential Skills Learner of the Year and Co Down winner

Stephen is 20 years old and undertook his Numeracy Level 2 as part of his Traineeship and Modern Apprenticeship programmes with Hugh J O’Boyle Training Ltd. He is on target to achieve his NVQ 3 in Administration and complete his full Modern Apprenticeship.  His journey has not been easy but he has persevered to complete his qualifications.  He has overcome shyness to become more self confident and is now a valued full time employee with Natural Home Interiors.

Helen Penny – Co Antrim winner

Helen is a recently separated single mother with 3 children who left school with no qualifications.  She has completed Essential Skills Literacy and Numeracy at Level 1 and is currently undertaking Level 2 qualifications in both subjects.  She is also participating in the ICT pilot.  She would like to do an Access course to University and train as a Counsellor.

Mary Loughran – Co Armagh winner

Mary returned to learning to help her teenage children with their homework and has progressed to Level 2 English and developed her ICT skills.   As a result of her new found confidence she has return to part-time work and is an active member of her local community.

Ben Henderson – Co Fermanagh winner

Ben is a family man and a farmer who gained Literacy Levels 1 and 2 as well as Numeracy Level 2.  The new skills have helped him to run his farming business, particularly completing VAT returns and record keeping, as well as helping him to support his children’s education.

John Paul Ward – Co Londonderry winner

John found his lack of skills a great barrier in his life and returned to learning to get a better job.  He achieved Level 1 Numeracy and Literacy and has started an NVQ Level 2 in Business and Administration which he hopes will enable him to find work in an office environment.  He is now much more outgoing and confident in undertaking daily tasks.

Darren McConnell – Co Tyrone winner

Darren is working toward EL2 in Numeracy and L1 in Literacy.  His mother died recently and he only missed one class such is his enthusiasm for learning.  He works part-time in a doctor’s surgery and hopes to improve his job prospects.

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