Say YES to adult learning

As we step into 2024, there’s no better time to get back into learning.

A shortage of skills and qualifications in North East Lincolnshire is driving a new campaign to promote adult learning opportunities in the area.

With a range of FREE courses offering distance learning or small classroom sessions, it’s never been easier to develop your skills or try something new.

The campaign is underpinned by goals from the Skills Action Plan approved for North East Lincolnshire last year, committed to increasing educational attainment and awareness of career opportunities across the Borough. The Plan identifies key challenges facing people in our area, with figures showing:

• Only 33.7 percent of students leave secondary school with a pass grade 4 in Maths and English, compared to 43.4 percent across England.
• 12.1 percent of residents in North East Lincolnshire have no qualifications at all.
• Adult participation in learning has reduced from 7600 residents in 2016/17, to 3050 in 2021/22.

Those behind the campaign believe the figures will change when adults fully understand what opportunities are on their doorstep.  

Amy Gresham, a skills and employment lead at North East Lincolnshire Council, is confident that there are courses suitable for everyone, but adults are unaware of what’s on offer.

‘’We have lots of opportunities for adults to access support and training, no matter what age they are, or their previous experience. Often people don’t realise that these options are available to them. It’s never too late to learn something new whether it is building your career pathway, to support children with their schoolwork, or just for fun,’’ said Amy.

North East Lincolnshire Council will join forces with partners to advertise the different types of courses available, share inspiring student stories, and debunk common myths about adult education.

North East Lincolnshire Council Leader and Portfolio Holder for Economy, Net Zero, Skills and Housing, Cllr Philip Jackson, is supporting the campaign.

“I, and I know my fellow Cabinet members here at North East Lincolnshire Council, are fully aware of the need to ensure we encourage people – whatever their age – to gain the training and skills they need to grow within our borough. Opportunities are here, we know that when we see the progress being made around the renewables sector and the continued need for people to work in areas such as engineering, food processing or the ‘trades’ such as plumbing, construction and electricians.  Health and Social Care is also an area of need. Please, we would ask anyone without work or who perhaps feels they don’t have the ability or confidence to either progress within existing jobs or make a start, to make a change in 2024. Go along to one of the sessions and just explore what is out there,” he said.

The campaign is starting this month, with Adult Learning events at the Family Hubs:

Find a course for you, or see what other events are taking place at www.nelincs.gov.uk/adult-education-and-learning/

Not sure where to start? Book a FREE appointment with the adult’s career team by contacting Wendy Trask on [email protected]