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New National grant to help adults get back in to learning - Denham

DEPARTMENT FOR INNOVATION, UNIVERSITIES AND SKILLS News Release issued by The Government News Network on 13 September 2007

Skills Secretary John Denham will tomorrow announce a £35m fund to help 30,000 people a year in the workforce to gain new skills.

The Adult Learning Grant will give eligible adults up to £30 a week to help improve their skills and progress.

It is targeted at young working adults over 19 in full or part-time jobs.

Speaking at Aspire in Bury, John Denham will say:

"We don't want financial pressures to prevent people gaining the qualifications they need for work. Pilots have shown that the grant opens up opportunities for low skilled, low income adults to gain new skills and qualifications, which will improve their employment prospects. In some colleges one hundred per cent of learners receiving ALG have completed their courses.

"It's been estimated that every second adult will need to improve their level of qualification over the next decade if we are to be a competitive world economy. The Adult Learning Grant is the next step in providing support for adult learners. We have already announced 100% funding of basic skills and Level 2 qualifications and initiatives such as the new entitlement to free tuition for 19-25 year olds without a Level 3 and the new learner accounts."

Mark Haysom, Chief Executive of the Learning and Skills Council, said:

"We found that many people felt held back in their careers by a lack of skills, but often financial problems stopped them from learning these skills. In pilot areas, ALG has already started to help people - over 28,000 so far - to cross this barrier. It's been great to see that 95 per cent of people involved in the pilot campaign have applied for courses that teach job-related skills that will help them progress in their careers."

"In support of the drive to encourage individuals in England to learn, a new Skills Campaign, 'Our Future, It's In Our Hands', has been launched by the Learning and Skills Council. The campaign aims to celebrate learning by encouraging people to take control of their own future and learn a new skill.

"With over 17,000 learning providers in the UK, it has never been easier for adults to continue learning after compulsory education and improve their earning potential. Individuals keen to move their careers forward and learn a new skill should call 0800 0113030 or visit the dedicated website; http://www.lsc.gov.uk/inourhands."

Notes to Editors

1. Mr Denham will meet people at Bury College who are receiving the Adult Learning Grant (ALG) that is enabling them to continue studying and learn life-changing skills.

Among them is young mum Clare Carroll from Preston who went back to college in 2005 after her second child was born, to do an Access to Midwifery course. Clare, who works part-time job as a health-care assistant at the local hospital, says that she'd be lost without the ALG. The money goes towards books and stationery and £5 a week goes towards paying for the college creche, which is discounted as she and her husband receive working tax credits.

Without ALG, Clare says that she would have to work more hours at the hospital and less time looking after her children and studying.

2. The Adult Learning Grant (ALG) is a weekly grant designed to help adults studying full-time with the costs of learning. It is targeted at the 5.8 million people who are working and do not have a level 2 qualification. Individuals who are in receipt of 'out of work' benefits, such as JSA, are not eligible for the programme.

3. The grant is income assessed and pays up to £30 per week (around £1,000 a year) for full time learners aged 19 and over who are studying for a first full Level 2 (5 GCSEs at grades A* to C or an NVQ2 or its equivalent) or a first full Level 3 (2 A levels or an NVQ3 or its equivalent) qualification. It is paid only during term time for weeks when the learner is in attendance at college.

4. The eligibility criteria for ALG recognise that for many of these people financial hardship is a significant reason why they find it difficult or impossible to complete their courses and gain qualifications, especially those studying full-time (those in full-time learning are those learners who receive 450 guided learning hours a year or its equivalent of 150 guided learning hours per term (around 12-13 hours a week). It is similar to the Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) available to 16-19 year olds and for many young adults is the next step when continuing their education, often progressing from a level 2 qualification to a level 3 qualification.

4. ALG has been piloted since 2003 in 25 LSC areas. It is now available nationally for courses starting this September. Over 28,000 learners have benefited from the grant so far. Evaluation has shown that:

* 59% are working while they are doing their course.
* 80% study for a Level 3 qualification.
* 63% of learners awarded ALG are aged between 19 and 21.
* 91% of ALG recipients have a personal income below £10,000.
5. In 2007-08 £35m is available to help learners.

6. Potential ALG applicants should visit Student Services at their local college, call 0800 100 900 or visit the website http://www.direct.gov.uk/alg