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31/8/2005 - Skills for Life partnership

Employees will see opportunities to develop their skills and gain qualifications boosted when Cumbria County Council signs up to the "Skills for Life" learning agreement this week.

The launch of the partnership learning agreement between the County Council and the Trade Unions will take place at Barras Lane, Dalston on Thursday 1st September at 3pm.

"Skills for Life" is a national strategy drawn up by the DfES to develop adult basic skills particularly literacy and numeracy needs, with clear and ambitious targets for reducing the number of adults with low skills levels. It identifies a number of priority groups, including local government employees.

"Skills for Life" aims to improve the literacy, language and numeracy skills of approximately 20,000 public sector employees nationally.

Cumbria County Council and the Trade Unions have been working since Spring 2004 to develop and deliver "Skills for Life" within Cumbria.

The aim of the partnership is to encourage and support positive learning culture throughout the council delivered through Union Learning Representatives who will be able to provide:

- Information, advice and guidance 

- Initial Skills Assessment 

- Training and access to national tests in literacy and numeracy

- A range of flexible learning opportunities to meet the demands of a progressive workforce.

A learning centre at Jubilee house in Barrow has already been launched. Further centres at Cavendish House in Workington and Petteril House in Carlisle are also being developed and the process of recruiting Union Learning Representatives is underway.

John Collier, Chairman of Cumbria County Council, says,

"Skills for Life is an important national initiative that is driving forward improvements in adult basic skills training across the public sector and the country. Cumbria County Council is pleased to be signing up to this learning agreement, which will give employees an excellent opportunity to develop basic skills and gain qualifications."

Photo Opportunity

Barras Lane, Dalston on Thursday 1st September at 3pm