Skills for Life are the literacy, language and numeracy skills which adults are expected to have, to function and progress in work and everyday life. These skills are:
It is estimated that 7 million people in the UK need to brush up their literacy, language or numeracy skills and 50% of these individuals are in employment. Within the health sector the Skills for Life needs of the workforce is similar to that of the British population. The key underpinning factor in all aspects of learning, training and development is good literacy, language and numeracy skills.
It’s expected that by 2012, 85% of NHS jobs will require skills and competences at or around Level 3, therefore one of our aims is to improve the literacy and numeracy skills of two million adults and young people by 2010.
Who can do it?
Skills for Life is not just focused on bands 1-4, but all NHS employees are offered the opportunity to brush up on these skills. The whole idea is to increase workforce skills to ensure that patients get a better level of care, and that staff are better trained to meet the changing needs of patients.
What will it cost?
As an employee, it won’t cost you anything. Use our interactive map and click on your area for more information. ESOL may incorporate a fee. To find out more, use our interactive map to select your region.
