Menu
19/07/2011
English Language Courses Will Deliver Better Deal
Skills Minister John Hayes has pledged to provide more effective, targeted help for people who face barriers to learning the English language skills communities need.
Following the publication of an equality impact assessment of provision for English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) training, which he ordered, Minister Hayes announced that BIS will work in partnership with the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) on developing new forms of support for those who need informal, community-based learning of English.
From August this year, national provision of full funding for ESOL courses will be focussed on those actively seeking work on Jobseekers Allowance and Employment Support Allowance (Work Related Activity Group). As part of a broader move towards rebalancing the investment in skills between Government, the employer and the learner, other eligible learners or their employers will be expected to make a contribution towards the costs of their ESOL course.
Minister for Further Education, Skills and Lifelong Learning, John Hayes said: “By targeting public funding on those in greatest need, and setting higher standards for providers, our reforms will make ESOL provision work better for learners, employers, and taxpayers.
“We are fully funding ESOL provision for jobseekers to help them to access work, but we will not use the public purse to support free English language training for individuals who have come here to take up work – companies that recruit abroad should take responsibility for that.
“We recognise there is a broader purpose to learning English; it can be crucial for integration and community cohesion. We believe that through this collaboration with the Department for Communities and Local Government we can reach those individuals who need language skills to get on.”
Minister Hayes has asked the Association of Colleges to advise on developing with providers an effective methodology for targeting funds at settled communities in which language barriers inhibit individual opportunity and community cohesion. Given the respective work that Lord Boswell and Baroness Sharp are leading on Adult Literacy and Colleges in Communities, the Minister has requested that they are involved in this work.
Ministers will also devise means to measure the quality of ESOL provision more effectively, with a new emphasis on progression to further learning and employment. Minister Hayes is committed to discussing measurements of quality with OFSTED.
(BMcN)
Following the publication of an equality impact assessment of provision for English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) training, which he ordered, Minister Hayes announced that BIS will work in partnership with the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) on developing new forms of support for those who need informal, community-based learning of English.
From August this year, national provision of full funding for ESOL courses will be focussed on those actively seeking work on Jobseekers Allowance and Employment Support Allowance (Work Related Activity Group). As part of a broader move towards rebalancing the investment in skills between Government, the employer and the learner, other eligible learners or their employers will be expected to make a contribution towards the costs of their ESOL course.
Minister for Further Education, Skills and Lifelong Learning, John Hayes said: “By targeting public funding on those in greatest need, and setting higher standards for providers, our reforms will make ESOL provision work better for learners, employers, and taxpayers.
“We are fully funding ESOL provision for jobseekers to help them to access work, but we will not use the public purse to support free English language training for individuals who have come here to take up work – companies that recruit abroad should take responsibility for that.
“We recognise there is a broader purpose to learning English; it can be crucial for integration and community cohesion. We believe that through this collaboration with the Department for Communities and Local Government we can reach those individuals who need language skills to get on.”
Minister Hayes has asked the Association of Colleges to advise on developing with providers an effective methodology for targeting funds at settled communities in which language barriers inhibit individual opportunity and community cohesion. Given the respective work that Lord Boswell and Baroness Sharp are leading on Adult Literacy and Colleges in Communities, the Minister has requested that they are involved in this work.
Ministers will also devise means to measure the quality of ESOL provision more effectively, with a new emphasis on progression to further learning and employment. Minister Hayes is committed to discussing measurements of quality with OFSTED.
(BMcN)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
17 February 2015
Plans Announced To Make Young People Work For Benefits
The Prime Minister has announced a proposal for 18 to 21-year-olds claiming benefits to do daily work experience. The proposed reform, known as Community Work Programme, would see young people not in work, education or training, required to complete daily work experience, alongside continuing to look for work in order to qualify for benefits.
Plans Announced To Make Young People Work For Benefits
The Prime Minister has announced a proposal for 18 to 21-year-olds claiming benefits to do daily work experience. The proposed reform, known as Community Work Programme, would see young people not in work, education or training, required to complete daily work experience, alongside continuing to look for work in order to qualify for benefits.
24 March 2009
NHS Disability Care 'Failures' Slammed In Report
Care for people with learning disabilities has come under fire after a report found the NHS and councils failed to provide appropriate health and social services care. The Health Service and Local Government Ombudsman ruled that one man died as a result of these failings and the death of a second man could have been avoided.
NHS Disability Care 'Failures' Slammed In Report
Care for people with learning disabilities has come under fire after a report found the NHS and councils failed to provide appropriate health and social services care. The Health Service and Local Government Ombudsman ruled that one man died as a result of these failings and the death of a second man could have been avoided.
18 July 2013
Govt Launch Employment Drive For Disabled People
A campaign has been launched to help people with disabilities get into the workplace. The initiative was launched at a disability employment conference in London today. It will include internships and training for young disabled people and a government-funded scheme for 16-to-24-year-olds who have complex learning difficulties and disabilities.
Govt Launch Employment Drive For Disabled People
A campaign has been launched to help people with disabilities get into the workplace. The initiative was launched at a disability employment conference in London today. It will include internships and training for young disabled people and a government-funded scheme for 16-to-24-year-olds who have complex learning difficulties and disabilities.
31 January 2011
Ex-prison Officer Jailed For Sexual Offences
An ex-prison officer has been jailed for 11 years at Isleworth Crown Court for sexual activity with a woman with severe learning difficulties. Isaac Sunday Sampson, 38, a Nigerian national from Middlesex, was found guilty on 3 December 2010, by a majority verdict, of three counts of sexual activity with a person with severe learning difficulties.
Ex-prison Officer Jailed For Sexual Offences
An ex-prison officer has been jailed for 11 years at Isleworth Crown Court for sexual activity with a woman with severe learning difficulties. Isaac Sunday Sampson, 38, a Nigerian national from Middlesex, was found guilty on 3 December 2010, by a majority verdict, of three counts of sexual activity with a person with severe learning difficulties.
04 December 2009
Neglect Charges For Hanged Girl's Parents
The mother and stepfather of an eight-year-old girl who was found hanged in her bedroom have been charged with child neglect. Charlotte Avenall, 8, who had severe learning difficulties, was discovered hanged in her room in Mansfield, Nottinghamshire, on the morning of 12 September.
Neglect Charges For Hanged Girl's Parents
The mother and stepfather of an eight-year-old girl who was found hanged in her bedroom have been charged with child neglect. Charlotte Avenall, 8, who had severe learning difficulties, was discovered hanged in her room in Mansfield, Nottinghamshire, on the morning of 12 September.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A sunny but frosty start for many. However cloud increases by midday with a few showers reaching the north coast, these mostly light but spreading inland this afternoon. Chilly. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A rather cloudy evening with scattered showers. Becoming drier through the night with some good clear spells developing and a patchy frost away from coasts. Minimum temperature 0 °C.
