Never a better time for individuals to build their skills

For individuals, it will become increasingly difficult over the next ten years to get a job without basic qualifications. As we look ahead to the next decade, there has never been a better time to actively consider learning new skills, or even building on existing skills.

Much has been achieved for adult skills over the lifetime of the LSC in the region with more adults gaining qualifications year on year and achieving the skills they need for personal success and employability. The number of adults achieving Level 2 and Level 3 qualifications has each increased by 6% from 2001 to 2008.

As a result of national Skills for Life programmes, nearly half a million people improved their literacy, numeracy and English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) skills by 2008, with 400,000 going on to achieve a national qualification. Without the LSC's focus and hard work most of these people would have missed out on learning and would be less prepared to be active in their local community, support their kids' learning and homework and get a job.

The popularity of Yorkshire and the Humber's annual Skills for Life Drop-in Day events, where businesses and individuals attended workshops and demonstrations of Skills for Life projects, was testimony to the region's commitment to improving literacy, language and numeracy.

Through partnership working within Integrated Employment and Skills (IES), the LSC has further addressed adults' skills needs and more than 8,000 people have embarked on an employability skills programme.

Grant has helped adults return to learning

Support from the Adult Learning Grant (ALG) - which offers up to £30 per week to support adults aged 19 and over who are returning to learning and training - has been a great boost to adult skills in the region, helping out with extra costs, from travel and books to materials and childcare.

One Sheffield student who took advantage of the ALG was busy mum-of-two Jane Rouse, 37. After spending years out of the workplace so she could care for her disabled son, Jane enrolled on a two-year hairdressing NVQ at Sheffield College and set up a mobile hairdressing business and hopes one day to have her own salon.

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