Scheme To Boost Literacy, Numeracy

Tue, May 02, 2006

Source: Ananova

Chancellor Gordon Brown is to launch a new multi-million pound initiative for workers who struggle with literacy and numeracy.

Chancellor Gordon Brown is to launch a new multi-million pound initiative for workers who struggle with literacy and numeracy.

The Trades Union Congress (TUC) workplace learning scheme, Unionlearn, is aimed at the seven million adults in England who find it hard to read, write or calculate figures.

Employers will also be encouraged to pay more attention to training and to work with unions to improve workers' skills.

The Government has provided £4.5 million for the initial cost of the scheme.

TUC general secretary Brendan Barber said: "This is a great opportunity to showcase the crucial role of trade unions in boosting UK skills and productivity.

"Employers need to step up to the challenge of workplace learning, with more support for learning reps, time off to train and a decent wage for apprenticeships."

Unionlearn director Liz Smith said: "For individual workers, it will bring opportunities to develop new skills and ambitions.

"For employers, it will demonstrate the benefits of a better-trained workforce and higher productivity.

"Unionlearn will place unions at the centre of skills development."

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