New campaign unveiled to change the nation's attitude to skills and learning
By TJ (09-07-2007)
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A new campaign - Our future. It’s in our hands - urging people to take control of their future by investing in skills, will be launched today by Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills (DIUS), John Denham and the Learning and Skills Council (LSC) Chairman, Chris Banks at an event attended by over 150 further education and skills stakeholders at the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) in London.
It is the most ambitious marketing and communications campaign of its kind, driven by the LSC and DIUS, and over a three to five year period aims to bring about the cultural change needed to improve the attitudes and aspirations of employers and individuals to learning and skills across England.
Research shows that over half of adults in England (53 per cent) believe they could achieve more out of life, and of these, almost two thirds (60 per cent) think improving their skills through training and education is the best way to do so.
With more than half the country convinced that change is possible, the new Skills Campaign - Our future. It’s in our hands - calls on both individuals and employers to take control of their future with better skills.
“The big message today is, don’t get left behind,” says Chris Banks, Chairman of the LSC. “We want it to be as easy as possible for people to access information and understand what help is available for them to get the skills needed to get on in life and business. This new campaign brings all the LSC’s existing activities under the banner of Our future. It’s in our hands. There’s never been a better time for people to grab the training opportunities on offer with both hands and take control.”
Our Future. It’s in our hands forms part of the broader Leitch Implementation Plan “World Class Skills: Implementing the Leitch Review of Skills in England” which will be unveiled later in July. The campaign is supported by hundreds of colleges and training providers as well as employer and education associations.
Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills, John Denham said: “This exciting new campaign is not just about improving skill levels, but creating a cultural change in the nation’s attitude to skills.
“The Government has accepted the ambitious challenge to become a world leader in skills, and we are committed to achieving this. We have already launched the new Skills Pledge to employers and employees and this campaign will help build on that.
“The campaign encourages employers and individuals to invest more in learning and skills. Through a combined commitment and effort, everyone will benefit – individuals, businesses and ultimately the nation’s economy.”
Significant progress has already been made in the skills arena over the past five years. The LSC has instigated a wide range of programmes to help employers and learners with their skills needs, including Train to Gain, the National Skills Academy network, Adult Learning Grants, Education Maintenance Allowance and Apprenticeships.
Individuals and employers can access the information they need via a dedicated phone line and website. The phone number is 0800 011 30 30 or website: lsc.gov.uk/inourhands
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