Menu
30/08/2007
Minister Emphasises Need For Essential Skills
Employment and Learning Minister, Sir Reg Empey, is calling on people who wish to improve their literacy and numeracy to sign up to free adult learning classes to address their problems.
The Minister was speaking today ahead of a new wave of the essential skills “Gremlins” advertising campaign, he said: “So many adults in our society have genuine problems with reading, writing and maths. The lack of essential skills affects many areas of people’s lives and help is now available. I would encourage all adults who face literacy or numeracy problems to sign up for free essential skills courses in their local area, to enhance their quality of life and job prospects.”
Since the launch of the Department for Employment and Learning’s Essential Skills Strategy in 2003 there have been almost 60,000 adult enrolments on literacy and numeracy courses.
Essential Skills provision is flexible and available in a wide range of settings within employer premises, further education colleges, training organisations and a range of voluntary and community groups.
The Minister continued: “Improving essential skills is a fundamental challenge and one of the key priorities for my Department. To minimise literacy and numeracy problems for the future generations, the Department is currently working with the Department of Education to ensure that these skills are developed at an early age.”
Sir Reg pointed towards the business community to help address the problems faced by employees with essential skills problems and said: "If businesses are to succeed in today’s increasingly competitive global marketplace, then employers must do more to develop their workforce. Providing the right opportunities for training helps to attract and retain confident, motivated and loyal staff, with knock on benefits such as greater efficiency, better quality, improved productivity and higher profits.”
About 24% of the Northern Ireland population have low levels of literacy, which is broadly comparable to the UK figure of 22%.
(SB/SP)
The Minister was speaking today ahead of a new wave of the essential skills “Gremlins” advertising campaign, he said: “So many adults in our society have genuine problems with reading, writing and maths. The lack of essential skills affects many areas of people’s lives and help is now available. I would encourage all adults who face literacy or numeracy problems to sign up for free essential skills courses in their local area, to enhance their quality of life and job prospects.”
Since the launch of the Department for Employment and Learning’s Essential Skills Strategy in 2003 there have been almost 60,000 adult enrolments on literacy and numeracy courses.
Essential Skills provision is flexible and available in a wide range of settings within employer premises, further education colleges, training organisations and a range of voluntary and community groups.
The Minister continued: “Improving essential skills is a fundamental challenge and one of the key priorities for my Department. To minimise literacy and numeracy problems for the future generations, the Department is currently working with the Department of Education to ensure that these skills are developed at an early age.”
Sir Reg pointed towards the business community to help address the problems faced by employees with essential skills problems and said: "If businesses are to succeed in today’s increasingly competitive global marketplace, then employers must do more to develop their workforce. Providing the right opportunities for training helps to attract and retain confident, motivated and loyal staff, with knock on benefits such as greater efficiency, better quality, improved productivity and higher profits.”
About 24% of the Northern Ireland population have low levels of literacy, which is broadly comparable to the UK figure of 22%.
(SB/SP)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
09 October 2013
NI Adult Literacy Improves Over Decade
Adult literacy levels in Northern Ireland have improved over the past decade, according to results released in the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development’s (OECD) International Survey of Adult Skills (ISAS) for Northern Ireland.
NI Adult Literacy Improves Over Decade
Adult literacy levels in Northern Ireland have improved over the past decade, according to results released in the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development’s (OECD) International Survey of Adult Skills (ISAS) for Northern Ireland.
07 November 2013
16-25s The Majority Of Essential Skills Enrolments
The vast majority of people who enrol in Essential Skills courses to improve literacy, numeracy and ICT (Information Computer Technology) skills are aged between 16 and 25, according to a new report. The Department for Employment and Learning has today published the fourth official statistical bulletin on Essential Skills enrolments and outcomes.
16-25s The Majority Of Essential Skills Enrolments
The vast majority of people who enrol in Essential Skills courses to improve literacy, numeracy and ICT (Information Computer Technology) skills are aged between 16 and 25, according to a new report. The Department for Employment and Learning has today published the fourth official statistical bulletin on Essential Skills enrolments and outcomes.
08 January 2008
Literacy and Numeracy Skills Targeted
It's hard to find a job with reading or writing problems, yet about a quarter of the population in Northern Ireland admit to having difficulties with the basics. The Department for Employment and Learning is calling on adults to tackle their 'learning gremlins' this New Year and embark on their free Essential Skills courses.
Literacy and Numeracy Skills Targeted
It's hard to find a job with reading or writing problems, yet about a quarter of the population in Northern Ireland admit to having difficulties with the basics. The Department for Employment and Learning is calling on adults to tackle their 'learning gremlins' this New Year and embark on their free Essential Skills courses.
21 January 2008
Skills 'Essential' Says Minister
Employment and Learning Minister, Sir Reg Empey, has launched new awards for those who have excelled through 'Essential Skills' achievement.
Skills 'Essential' Says Minister
Employment and Learning Minister, Sir Reg Empey, has launched new awards for those who have excelled through 'Essential Skills' achievement.
05 January 2010
Essential Skills 'Wins' University Place
The two NI universities will now accept Essential Skills qualifications as acceptable alternatives to GCSEs, making higher education accessible to many more learners.
Essential Skills 'Wins' University Place
The two NI universities will now accept Essential Skills qualifications as acceptable alternatives to GCSEs, making higher education accessible to many more learners.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:It will be cloudy again throughout the day. Mainly dry in the morning, but patchy drizzle in places, becoming more widespread and persistent in the afternoon. Freshening southwesterly winds. Maximum temperature 12 °C.Tonight:Cloudy with a spell of heavy rain pushing south through late evening and the early hours, followed by some clear spells. Minimum temperature 6 °C.
