State of the South West 2008

Skills for Life/Basic Skills

4.64 Despite the overall picture of a well qualified workforce, evidence suggests that a significant proportion of the adult population lacks Skills for Life. Skills for Life are defined as “the ability to read, write, and speak in English (or Welsh), and to use mathematics at a level necessary to function at work and in society”. Information and communication technology (ICT) and ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) are also recognised and included within the definition of Skills for Life.

4.65 Skills for Life data from the Learning and Skills Council (LSC) shows that between August 2005 and July 2006 there were an estimated 34,706 learners achieving at least one Skills for Life learning aim. Cumulative figures from 2004/05 to 2005/06 show a total of 70,866 learners gaining qualifications in literacy, numeracy and/or language skills counting towards the national Skills for Life target through LSC funded provision. These figures include only those that contribute to the government Skills for Life PSA target. They do not include those who do not complete a learning aim and do not measure all qualifications gained. The South West has achieved 88.5% of the interim target to 2007 of 80,068.