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Empowering learners in the modern age - Denham consults on future support for informal adult learning

DEPARTMENT FOR INNOVATION, UNIVERSITIES AND SKILLS News Release (2008/003) issued by The Government News Network on 15 January 2008

The introduction of 'virtual' vouchers to enable some adults to fund their own informal learning is just one proposal being considered as part of a Government consultation launched today. The consultation on informal adult learning, or learning for which the gaining of qualifications is not the main purpose, argues that developments such as this could be necessary if Government support for this education is to reflect the growing demands from learners. Many people are now making better use of the internet, other new technologies and the voluntary sector rather than traditional classroom based education. The consultation will be spearheaded by working groups made up of major organisations from broadcasting and new technologies, the voluntary sector, other government departments, families and older people. The aim is to formulate new proposals to further expand learning and ensure that people have more control over the format and availability of courses. Organisations that are signed up to take part in the work alongside the Government include Help the Aged, The University of the Third Age, the Family Learning Network, English Heritage, BBC, BSkyB, Microsoft and the TUC. John Denham, Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills outlined the purpose of the consultation in a speech to the Social Market Foundation. He argued that while it was right for the Government to prioritise 'formal' education to enable people to develop their skills and gain better jobs, informal adult learning also has a vital role in shaping our country. He argued the time was right for this consultation because there has been a "quiet revolution" in how this learning is accessed and delivered.

Mr Denham said: "Some courses are still taught in a classroom at a fixed time - an approach that would have been clearly recognised 100 years ago. But adult learning may be as easily stimulated by a TV programme that prompts a trip to a local museum, or an internet search that leads to a group of like-minded learners.

"Most strikingly, much of the innovation in this sector in the early 21st century has been driven and achieved by learners themselves: people adapting new technologies, not relying on support from local or national Government to organise activities, but seeking out fellow enthusiasts through online communities and other channels besides." Mr Denham argued that these changes make it an opportune moment to consider how Government support for this learning can be maximized and said that the consultation must: "Reach out beyond existing institutions and providers - to hear from people and communities. How are their lives and needs changing? How do they wish to organise learning so that it is most useful and accessible to them? How do we build on the growing desire for people to come together and to organise their own learning?

"Our vision for the future of informal learning must bring together and build on many interests; those of teachers and learners, communities and providers, traditions and technologies."

The working groups will look at specific issues affecting informal adult learning. These include the role of Government, the involvement of new technologies, the role of the voluntary sector, the engagement of families and access for older people. The groups will engage with learners to seek their views how the current system can be improved and Ministers will work with them to develop structured proposals to improve adult learning. The consultation asks a number of key questions including:

* How Government can best support people's desire to organise and define their own activities;

* Where should learning take place?

* Should Government consider giving 'virtual' vouchers to groups so they can buy their own learning?

* What is the best way of using technology to support learning and to make it more widely available?

* How do we protect provision for the disadvantaged and make the same options available to them as computer-literate students?

According to the National Adult Learner Survey around 80 per cent of adults say they participate in some form of adult education. This year DIUS has invested just over £3billion on adult learning of which £210 million is protected for personal and community development activities. In addition DCMS supports a huge number of learning opportunities through the Arts Council, Sport England and through free access to the major national museums and galleries, many of which offer education services and facilities to visitors. There is also easier access to public facilities such as school buildings where 8,000 extended schools offer premises and the use of ICT equipment for community purposes. James Purnell, Secretary of State for Culture, Media & Sport, said:
"The UK is the creative and cultural hub of the world. But our ability to maintain this position in the face of ever more fierce competition from emerging economies, depends on an innovative and nimble thinking work force.

"That's why we want to see an emphasis on creative thinking and new ways of doing things, not simply in schools and colleges but in every other training context as well."

David Sinclair, Head of Policy at Help the Aged, said:

"We live in a changing and increasingly complex world. Unless we can deliver a new vision for learning, older people are likely to find themselves more and more excluded and isolated.
"There are some exciting opportunities. For example, digital television and other new technologies could transform learning opportunities for older people. We must grasp the nettle of these opportunities. Help the Aged very much welcomes this consultation and looks forward to working with the department to deliver the Government's new vision for informal learning."
Ben Stimson, Director of Responsibility and Reputation, BSkyB, said: "We believe that lifelong learning leads to a full life. This consultation comes at a time of great opportunity - through the innovative use of technology, we can really inspire everyone to learn, whatever their age.

"For our part, we have created Sky Learning which provides easy and exciting ways for everyone to keep learning, something that we know is important to our customers. We look forward to having the opportunity to contribute to the consultation." Stephen Uden, Head of Skills and Economic Affairs, Microsoft Ltd, said:

"Technology is in the process of revolutionising learning by creating an individual connection between each learner and a vast and growing array of learning resources. We welcome this consultation as a means to ensure that the UK is able to capture the full economic and social potential of these new learning opportunities"

Alan Tuckett, Director of the National Institute of Adult Continuing Education (NIACE), said:
"I welcome the Government's timely consultation on how best the rich tapestry of informal learning opportunities for adults can be supported and encouraged. Bringing public investment and provision, voluntary sector and self-help initiatives, broadcast and on-line opportunities into a closer relationship must make sense to make the best use of scarce resources, to make sure no one misses out because they don't know what is on offer, or because the support they need is not easily available. It presents timely challenges for us all."
Notes to editors:
1. The consultation 'Informal Adult Learning - the way ahead' runs from 15 January to 15 May 2008. The results will be made public later this year on the DIUS website http://www.dius.gov.uk
2. You can respond to this consultation by visiting http://www.adultlearningconsultation.org.uk or respond in writing to Informal Adult Learning Consultation, Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills, 4th Floor, Kingsgate House, 66-74 Victoria Street, London SW1E 6SW.
3. For additional copies of the consultation please visit http://www.adultlearningconsultation.org.uk or call DIUS Publications (0845 60 222 60) quoting reference IAL2008.
4. To view the full funding settlement for adult education over the current CSR period please visit http://www.dius.gov.uk/publications
5. The groups who make up the three working groups include:

* The BBC

* The National Trust

* Microsoft Ltd

* NIACE

* BSkyB

* Help the Aged

* The TUC

* The University of the Third Age

* The Family learning network