Home > News > May 2005 > 23-May-2005

Adult Learners’ Week starts today

Adult Learners’ Week will be officially launched today with a celebration of adult learners at the Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre in Westminster, London.

The Rt. Hon. Ruth Kelly MP, Secretary of State for Education and Skills will give a keynote speech and present the National Senior Learner of the Year Award.

Actor and TV Presenter Tony Robinson will also address the audience and present the Family Learning Awards.

Ruth Kelly said, "Over recent years, Adult Learners’ Week has become the single biggest event in the adult learning calendar, giving tens of thousands of people the opportunity to sample and sign up for learning that will improve their lives, transform their careers and help them to enjoy the many benefits that learning brings.

"It also gives us the opportunity to recognise and reward outstanding individual success in learning, often achieved in the face of great adversity. I have great respect and admiration for the learners, their tutors and advisers, as well as for the families and friends who have encouraged them in their learning choices and supported them along the way. We celebrate all their achievements during Adult Learners Week and hold them up as an example and an inspiration to others."

Kelly concluded, "For our part, the Government has set the strategy in our March White Paper, ‘Skills - Getting on in business, getting on at work’ but ultimately it is the learners, tutors, trainers and the many partner organisations who share our vision and belief in the transformative power of learning who will make it a success."

Tony Robinson said, "I’m very excited about coming to Adult Learners’ Week 2005 and it will be great to meet the winners who are such an inspiration to others. This year I’m helping Directgov launch its adult learning website, which is a fantastic new online resource for information on all aspects of adult learning.

"I’ll also be presenting the Family Learners of the Year award. I know from personal experience that adult education is a great way to transform your life, open doors to new career opportunities and boost your self-esteem. I’m simply delighted to be part of the UK’s biggest celebration of adult learning."

Adult Learners’ Week is core-funded by the Department for Education and Skills and the European Social Fund, with additional support from learndirect. More details at: www.alw.org.uk

Adult Learners’ Week 2005 will include the following national events:

• Monday 23 May: Adult Learners’ Week Launch, QEII Conference Centre
• Wednesday 25 May: Parliamentary Reception at the House of Commons
• Thursday 26 May: Learning at Work Day
• Friday 27 May: Silver Surfers’ Day

Other events for Adult Learners’ Week 2005 are listed in their interactive online calendar where you can search by keyword, your preferred date and by the region you live in.

Adult Learners Week in Wales started on Thursday 19th May with the annual Outstanding Adult Learners Awards Ceremony at the Brangwyn Hall in Swansea. The week, itself, began on Saturday 21st May with Cultural Diversity Day, and it is expected that 15,000 people will attend bite size taster events throughout Wales. More information at: www.niacedc.org.uk

Adult Learners’ Week in Scotland is organised by The Scottish Adult Learning Partnership (SALP), a voluntary organisation, established in 2001 with the specific aim of supporting and encouraging people who do not traditionally participate within the education system.

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