Local companies aim to encourage Essential Skills

Recent research has revealed that almost half of the working population in Northern Ireland has poor Essential Skills levels. The lack of Essential Skills – the ability to read, write and speak English and use maths at a level necessary to participate in society and working life – could be costing local employers thousands of pounds each year. In response to the statistics, the Department for Employment and Learning (DEL) has developed a new scheme aimed at improving the levels of reading, writing and numeracy in the adult population. As part of the strategy – entitled Essential Skills for Living – employers are being encouraged to offer learning opportunities in the workplace. With support from Fermanagh College's School of Lifelong Learning, local firms such as Quinn Group and Acheson & Glover have already signed up for free adult learning programmes. The project will work closely with these firms to identify work-related Essential Skills needs and contribute to the personal development and employability skills of the workforce. Employees will be able to access course both on-site and in Fermanagh College. It is hoped that at least half of the participants will gain a recognised qualification and a third will go on the complete further learning. The project is supported by the European Union Programme for Peace and Reconciliation, and has already attracted a lot of interest from local business. Gabriel McKeown, Project Co-Ordinator, commented: "We have found that many local businesses working in these industries have access to free training and qualifications which will improve their local skills."