DEPARTMENT FOR
EDUCATION AND SKILLS News Release (2007/0088) issued by The
Government News Network on 22 May 2007
Adults under the
age of 25 who have missed out on education and training
opportunities will be able to get free tuition to obtain a first,
full level 3 qualification, equivalent to 2 A levels, from this August.
The new entitlement for the key intermediate technician level
skills employers say they need will provide routes back for those
who left education early and want to return to improve their
qualifications and job prospects.
Announcing the new entitlement Bill Rammell, Minister for
Lifelong Learning, Further and Higher Education said:
"The entitlement will encourage young adults to continue
studying until they achieve the equivalent of 2 A levels and make
sure they can get the qualifications to improve their life
chances, social mobility and contribute to the economy
"We need to recognise that many young people continue their
initial education into their early twenties. It is important that
we support them and help them succeed and progress on to higher
education where they can.
"The Leitch Review of skills recognised the importance of
raising the number of people qualified to A level equivalent.
Higher intermediate skills are increasingly critical to the
success of business and productive employment.
"We lag behind France and Germany in the proportion of our
young adults achieving A level equivalent qualifications in their
early twenties. Introducing a free entitlement up to A Level will
help address this problem and bring us closer to a coherent
package of support for learners up to the age of 25."
Mark Haysom, Chef Executive of the Learning and Skills Council, said:
"The introduction of the new entitlement will undoubtedly
play an important role in helping young adults upgrade and develop
their skills. Removing financial barriers will allow them to take
the opportunity to prepare themselves for success in life through
the education and training system, providing routes back for those
who left education early and want to return in order to improve
their qualifications and job prospects".
The new entitlement will be available from August 07 through
colleges of further education and other providers of high quality
education and training who have satisfied the Learning and Skills
Council quality assurance process.
NOTES TO EDITORS
1. The Further Education White Paper 'Further Education:
Raising Skills, Improving Life Chances' announced the
introduction of a new entitlement for a first full Level 3
qualification for those aged 19 up to 25 on the date they start
their programme, supported by an expanded Adult Learning Grant
(ALG), new funding for both of which was announced in the Budget
on 23 March 2006. The new 19-25 entitlement and national roll-out
of ALG will both be implemented from August 07, creating a new
integrated package of support for young adults continuing their
initial education to Level 3.
2. As the private returns at Level 3 are substantial the
government's role is to help stimulate, facilitate and
encourage greater investment so that individuals and firms can
enjoy these benefits, realise the wider benefits and improve
international competitiveness.
3. The entitlement is expected to benefit some 60,000 learners in
2007/08, enabling more young adults to achieve higher level
technical and professional qualifications.
4. For further information on the Level 3 Entitlement contact
Kevin Street (Kevin.Street@lsc.gov.uk)
5. For further information on national development of learner
accounts contact Stephen Gardner (Stephen.gardner@lsc.gov.uk)
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