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Reaching targets with Essential Skills

01 Septmeber 2008

Employment and Learning Minister, Sir Reg Empey, today welcomed the news that 12,200 learners have completed an Essential Skills qualification over the last year.   

Since the launch of the Department for Employment and Learning’s Essential Skills Strategy in 2002 there have been over 85,000 adult enrolments on literacy and numeracy courses.

Sir Reg said that improving Essential Skills was a key priority of his Department and added: “Good reading, writing and maths skills form an important part of every day life and enables adults to change their lives in ways they thought weren’t possible.  As a result of gaining these qualifications many are benefiting from greater job opportunities, better quality of life”.

The Minister was speaking ahead of the start of a new Essential Skills advertising campaign, “Get the know-how”. He continued: “My Department has set a new challenging target of supporting a further 38,000 learners to achieve an Essential Skills qualification by 2011.   I would encourage those adults who may be terrified about working with figures or helping their children with their homework to call the helpline, as evidence shows that joining an Essential Skills class has already helped many others to get the know-how and improve many areas of their lives.”

Essential Skills courses are available now in a range of locations across Northern Ireland. You can obtain details about free courses by ringing the free and confidential helpline number 0800 66 0800 or by texting HOW to 60900.   Alternatively you can visit www.knowhowni.info external link.

NOTES TO EDITORS:

1.    The new Essential Skills campaign, which begins on 1st September, will feature television and radio advertisements as well as posters on buses and telephone kiosks.  There will be a free confidential telephone helpline and callers can get information from a personal adviser on Essential Skills classes (that are small, relaxed and enjoyable), in a location to suit them.

2.    Essential Skills provision is flexible and available in a wide range of settings (within employer premises), further education colleges, training organisations as well as a range of voluntary and community groups.

3.    Media queries to the Department for Employment and Learning Press Office on 028 9025 7872.

4.    Out of office hours please contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.