SKILLS FOR LIFE

RMT helpline 0800 376 3706 :: september 2011 :: RMTnews 20 WHAT ARE ‘SKILLS FOR LIFE’? In 1999 a report showed that seven million adults had difficulty with literacy and numeracy and that one in five adults would have trouble finding ‘plumber’ in the Yellow Pages. It recommended a long-term national strategy to address this. The government launched the Skills for Life strategy in 2001, making free literacy and numeracy training available to adults. Certificates are available in literacy, numeracy and information and communications technology (ICT). Designed to help the learner develop the skills they use in everyday life, such as reading, writing or maths, the certificates are available at a level of learning suited to the individual; learners are confidentially assessed to find their starting level and can then choose the level of qualification they want to work towards. The certificate levels are: Entry Levels 1, 2 and 3, Level 1 (equivalent to GCSEs grade D-E) and Level 2 (equivalent to GCSEs grade A*-C). ICT Certificate is available at the Entry Levels only. The three entry-level qualifications consist of tasks assessed by the course tutor; level 1 and 2 tests are taken on paper or on a com-puter to gain the qualification. The certificates are recognised national qualifica- tions, so can help when seeking promotion or a new job, have the benefit of improving confidence, can encourage learners back into education, and act as a stepping stone to higher qualifications. BUSINESS CASE ARGUMENTS Increasing training has been shown to have a positive impact on productivity, and increased learning leads to lower staff turnover and better industrial relations. It can also result in a reduction of costly mistakes and company training courses being made shorter due to improved English and maths. Reports have shown that union-led learning projects improve morale in the workplace and lead to better relations between management and staff. RMT Learning ensures that Skills for Life is a key agenda item at any Steering Group meetings that are held with employers. In this way members will have the best chance of reaching their potential. SKILLS FOR LIFE AT STAGECOACH EAST MIDLANDS Union Learning Reps (ULRs) at Stagecoach East Midlands enrolled on literacy and numeracy programmes to help develop their own skills, make them more productive as ULRs, and understand what they were encouraging their members to get involved with. They have begun working with local providers to arrange courses and have been providing support, advice and encouragement to members. Tim Justice said: “it shows my colleagues that I’m practicing what I preach”. Dave Grant said “For some workers this will be the first time they have had any opportunity to access learning since leaving school, in some cases over thirty years ago”. LONDON UNDERGROUND TACKLES THE SKILLS FOR LIFE CHALLENGE In 2010, London Underground acknowledged that developing numeracy, literacy and IT skills amongst its workers should be a priority. RMT Learning and Learning Organisers from other unions worked with London Underground to set up the Skills for Life Working Group to look at ways of meeting the challenge. The take-up for numeracy SKILLS FOR LIFE The RMT Union Learning Fund provides life-long learning opportunities for transport workers