The research identifies the negative impacts of poor levels of literacy and numeracy and considers the impact of the Essential Skills programme on participants, including increased confidence, employability, and improved security and quality of employment.  It looks at reasons for signing up to the programme and barriers to participation.  The report makes recommendations including the need for greater employer engagement, a promotional campaign, tutor development and support, and an increase in community and outreach provision.

The Essential Skills for Living strategy and action plan was launched in April 2002 and the evaluation was undertaken to gain feedback on the performance of Essential Skills from key players such as training organisations and community groups. The information gained will be used to inform the operation of Essential Skills training and any further research on the programme.

Existing information and data about Essential Skills was reviewed as was international research evidence on the impacts of improving adult literacy and numeracy. Northern Ireland’s literacy and numeracy interventions were benchmarked against other parts of the UK and the Republic of Ireland. Interviews were conducted with key strategic and operational stakeholders, tutors, training providers, and participants.  There were also focus groups and interviews with people who had not taken part in the programme.

The overarching conclusion is that Essential Skills has got off to a very good start, being on track to achieve or even exceed its targets. Participants report positive experiences of the training. The benefits that participants have experienced have a very strong impact. The overarching recommendation is that Essential Skills continues to be a priority area for the Northern Ireland administration and that increased funding is pursued to increase coverage and to compensate for the impending loss of PEACE II funding.

Department for Employment and Learning, Northern Ireland

01/10/2006

Frontline Consultants

research

Urban Policy > Social inclusion & integration > Quality of life

Skills improvement