Menu
16/12/2004
Report highlights adult basic skills shortfall
A report from the National Audit Office (NAO) has praised the Department of Education and Skills for a "good start" made in the long-term strategy to improve the levels of adult literacy and numeracy in England, but has said that there are "more challenges ahead".
The Skills for Life Strategy met its 2004 targets, but Auditor General Sir John Bourn said that if the strategy was to meet the target for 2010 it would need to maintain and build on what it has already achieved.
Estimates suggest that the Department has achieved its 2004 target of increasing the skills of 750,000 people.
Sir John Bourn said: "Higher levels of literacy and numeracy will benefit England both socially and economically. More people will have the opportunity to live richer lives. The Department has made substantial progress since 2001 in improving the teaching of literacy and numeracy and making more people aware of the options and wanting to learn. But this is only the beginning."
The report set out some of the steps needed to be taken if the 2010 target of a further 1.5 million learners to achieve a first qualification.
TUC Deputy General Secretary Frances O'Grady said the union was "alarmed by the scale of need in literacy and numeracy in the UK".
He said that there are all sorts of barriers preventing people from tackling their skills gaps and that the trade unions and bosses could do an enormous amount to break many of them down.
Mr O'Grady said: "To really bolster learning at work we need a greater commitment from employers, especially in smaller firms, to encourage their employees to get on at work and allow them the time off to train".
It is estimated that around 26 million people of working age in the UK have levels of literacy and numeracy below those expected of school leavers.
People with the lowest skills levels, those expected of a 9 to 11 year old or below, can experience practical difficulties in their every day lives and many work in low-skill jobs, are unemployed, or are on benefits.
In March 2001, the Department for Education and Skills launched the long-term Skills for Life Strategy with the aim of "breaking the cycle" of low literacy and numeracy skills in England.
At least £3.7 billion will be poured into implementing the programme by 2006.
(SP)
The Skills for Life Strategy met its 2004 targets, but Auditor General Sir John Bourn said that if the strategy was to meet the target for 2010 it would need to maintain and build on what it has already achieved.
Estimates suggest that the Department has achieved its 2004 target of increasing the skills of 750,000 people.
Sir John Bourn said: "Higher levels of literacy and numeracy will benefit England both socially and economically. More people will have the opportunity to live richer lives. The Department has made substantial progress since 2001 in improving the teaching of literacy and numeracy and making more people aware of the options and wanting to learn. But this is only the beginning."
The report set out some of the steps needed to be taken if the 2010 target of a further 1.5 million learners to achieve a first qualification.
TUC Deputy General Secretary Frances O'Grady said the union was "alarmed by the scale of need in literacy and numeracy in the UK".
He said that there are all sorts of barriers preventing people from tackling their skills gaps and that the trade unions and bosses could do an enormous amount to break many of them down.
Mr O'Grady said: "To really bolster learning at work we need a greater commitment from employers, especially in smaller firms, to encourage their employees to get on at work and allow them the time off to train".
It is estimated that around 26 million people of working age in the UK have levels of literacy and numeracy below those expected of school leavers.
People with the lowest skills levels, those expected of a 9 to 11 year old or below, can experience practical difficulties in their every day lives and many work in low-skill jobs, are unemployed, or are on benefits.
In March 2001, the Department for Education and Skills launched the long-term Skills for Life Strategy with the aim of "breaking the cycle" of low literacy and numeracy skills in England.
At least £3.7 billion will be poured into implementing the programme by 2006.
(SP)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
26 September 2003
'Unsatisfactory teaching' mars adult skills provision: Ofsted
The government's adult basic skills strategy is being hampered by "poor quality provision and unsatisfactory teaching", a new report from the Office for Standards in Education (Ofsted) and the Adult Learning Inspectorate (ALI) finds today.
'Unsatisfactory teaching' mars adult skills provision: Ofsted
The government's adult basic skills strategy is being hampered by "poor quality provision and unsatisfactory teaching", a new report from the Office for Standards in Education (Ofsted) and the Adult Learning Inspectorate (ALI) finds today.
20 August 2007
Teenagers Lack Essential Skills
More than half of employers say they face a 'nightmare' dealing with teenage school leavers who are unable to read, write and perform basic maths skills properly. A new Confederation of British Industry (CBI) survey revealed many employers are unhappy with the fundamental English and maths skills of 16 year olds.
Teenagers Lack Essential Skills
More than half of employers say they face a 'nightmare' dealing with teenage school leavers who are unable to read, write and perform basic maths skills properly. A new Confederation of British Industry (CBI) survey revealed many employers are unhappy with the fundamental English and maths skills of 16 year olds.
30 October 2003
15m adults lack basic GCSE numeracy skills: survey
More than 15 million adults in the UK have such poor numeracy skills that they would not be able to gain even the lowest grades at GCSE, according to a government report published today. The study also found that those that have numeracy skills below the standard expected of 9 to 11-year-olds fell slightly from 7 million in 1997 to 6.
15m adults lack basic GCSE numeracy skills: survey
More than 15 million adults in the UK have such poor numeracy skills that they would not be able to gain even the lowest grades at GCSE, according to a government report published today. The study also found that those that have numeracy skills below the standard expected of 9 to 11-year-olds fell slightly from 7 million in 1997 to 6.
28 November 2003
UK employers to benefit from £46m skills boost
UK employers are set to receive a £46 million skills boost, thanks to extra investment in Skills for Business – a UK-wide network of employer-led Sector Skills Councils.
UK employers to benefit from £46m skills boost
UK employers are set to receive a £46 million skills boost, thanks to extra investment in Skills for Business – a UK-wide network of employer-led Sector Skills Councils.
02 March 2012
Poor Numeracy Reaches Record High
The number of adults with poor numeracy skills has reached 17 million in England alone – very nearly half the working-age population. The figure has increased by nearly two million over the last eight years (from 47% to 49%) and is a disturbing indictment of national attitudes to numeracy, according to new charity National Numeracy.
Poor Numeracy Reaches Record High
The number of adults with poor numeracy skills has reached 17 million in England alone – very nearly half the working-age population. The figure has increased by nearly two million over the last eight years (from 47% to 49%) and is a disturbing indictment of national attitudes to numeracy, according to new charity National Numeracy.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A showery start with outbreaks most frequent north of Lough Neagh and through the morning, before dwindling during the afternoon as the northwest breezes ease and brighter spells of weak sunshine prosper. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
