Monday 14 April 2014
The important link between English and maths skills and employability has again been pushed to the forefront this month with Michael Gove claiming too many people are being made “effectively unemployable” as a result of poor reading and writing abilities.
Speaking at the British Chamber of Commerce annual conference, the education secretary said the inability to read and write was a “blight” on life chances. He also identified raising the national skill level of maths and English as a key step in Government’s plans to ensure “full employment” in the UK. During his address, Mr Grove pledged to eliminate illiteracy and innumeracy “in our lifetime”, likening this “demanding” task to developing countries fight against malaria and the need for clean drinking water.
Tristram Hunt echoed Mr Gove’s call for focus on maths and English during last month’s round of annual School Report Interviews. The shadow education secretary outlined his desire to see an increased emphasis on English and maths study, whilst reiterating his plans to make the subjects compulsory for learners up to age 18.
At NCFE we understand how crucial English and maths skills are in expanding learner opportunities in life and work. This is why we’ve developed a suite of over 100 bitesized maths and English qualifications which have been designed to help bridge this identified skills gap. Equivalent to a GCSE, this flexible suite of qualifications can be delivered as small chunks of learning tailored to the meet the needs of individual learners.
What’s more, the qualifications are now eligible for funding on section 96 and the skills funding agencies – 2013-2014 simplified funding catalogue.