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Adult Learners’ Week 2007

Around 10,000 events are expected to take place during this year's Adult Learners’ Week which runs from 19th – 25th May.

According to the organisers, the National Institute of Adult Continuing Education (NIACE), adults will have opportunities to get a taste of learning in colleges, shops and supermarkets, factories and businesses, libraries and museums, and community and adult education centres. Details of what’s on offer this year are available from the online calendar of events at: www.alw.org.uk/calendar

Supporting this year’s Adult Learners’ Week is comedienne Jo Brand. She said, "I know through my time working as a psychiatric nurse that learning can benefit not only your confidence and your career but also your health. Furthermore, my recent experiences learning to play the organ for the television programme Play It Again reminded me that learning as an adult can be a lot of fun too - despite the fact that I was in a state of terror for most of it.

"Learning changes lives. Give yourself a chance to succeed and try something new during Adult Learners’ Week. You’ll soon realise that nothing is impossible."

The skills minister, Phil Hope MP, said, "Adult Learners’ Week has become the single biggest event in the adult learning calendar. Learning opens all sorts of new doors in people’s lives. The Week celebrates the success of the tens of thousands of adult learners across the country who have seized that opportunity to improve their lives, transform their careers and enjoy the benefits learning brings.

"We want everyone, whatever their age or background, to have the opportunity to succeed through learning. We are transforming the culture of learning in this country and for many people the learning journey will start during Adult Learners’ Week.

"There are more learning opportunities today than ever, including free provision for adults to get their first numeracy or literacy qualification and a free entitlement to get a first full Level 2 qualification, equivalent to 5 good GCSEs.

"People can quickly and easily find out about courses in their area by calling learndirect free on 0800 100 900. And our new Train to Gain service is helping businesses get the training they need to succeed, including offering free training to up-skill employees.

"The learners, and their tutors, advisers, employers, families and friends, who have encouraged and supported them along the way are an example and inspiration to us all."

Adult Learners’ Week is supported by the Department for Education and Skills, the European Social Fund, learndirect the National Learning and Skills Council, Ofcom the Office of Communications, the Quality Improvement Agency and City and Guilds.

Adult Learners’ Week 2007 will include the following national events:

• Saturday 19th May: Cultural Diversity Day
• Monday 21st May: Adult Learners’ Week National Award Ceremony - QEII Conference Centre, London
• Tuesday 22nd May: National Policy Conference Journeys to the Workplace – London Chamber of Commerce
• Wednesday 23rd May: Parliamentary Reception at the House of Commons
• Thursday 24th May: Learning at Work Day
• Friday 25th May: Silver Surfers Day

For more information on Adult Learners’ Week 2007, visit: www.alw.org.uk

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