Take Inspiration from the UK's Adult Learners' Week
24 Apr 2007 04:25 PM
The Adult Learners' Week is the largest festival of learning in the UK and runs from 19-25 May 2007. It is organised by the National Institute of Adult Continuing Education (NIACE) and is a time when thousands of people consider a return to learning and begin a life-transformational journey.
Each year around 10,000 events (taster sessions, demonstrations, workshops) take place, attracting anything up to 100,000 visitors and participants. Adults will have opportunities to get a taste of learning in colleges, shops and supermarkets, factories and businesses, libraries and museums, community and adult education centres. Details of what's on offer this year is available from the online calendar of events at: www.alw.org.uk/calendar
Adult Learners' Week is also the time when adults from across the country are awarded for their remarkable achievements through learning. Inspirational stories of people realising long-held ambitions and transforming their lives will demonstrate the effectiveness of learning as an adult.
Supporting this year's Adult Learners' Week is comedienne Jo Brand. She said, "I know through my time working as a psychiatric nurse that learning can benefit not only your confidence and your career but also your health. Furthermore, my recent experiences learning to play the organ for the television programme Play It Again reminded me that learning as an adult can be a lot of fun too - despite the fact that I was in a state of terror for most of it. Learning changes lives. Give yourself a chance to succeed and try something new during Adult Learners' Week. You'll soon realise that nothing is impossible."
The UK's Skills Minister, Phil Hope MP, said, "Adult Learners' Week has become the single biggest event in the adult learning calendar. Learning opens all sorts of new doors in people's lives. The Week celebrates the success of the tens of thousands of adult learners across the country who have seized that opportunity to improve their lives, transform their careers and enjoy the benefits learning brings."
He continued, "We want everyone, whatever their age or background, to have the opportunity to succeed through learning. We are transforming the culture of learning in this country and for many people the learning journey will start during Adult Learners' Week. There are more learning opportunities today than ever, including free provision for adults to get their first numeracy or literacy qualification and a free entitlement to get a first full Level 2 qualification, equivalent to 5 good GCSEs. People can quickly and easily find out about courses in their area by calling learndirect free on 0800 100 900. And our new Train to Gain service is helping businesses get the training they need to succeed, including offering free training to up-skill employees."
He ended, "The learners, and their tutors, advisers, employers, families and friends, who have encouraged and supported them along the way are an example and inspiration to us all."
Rachel Thomson, Senior Campaigns Officer at NIACE, said, "Each Adult Learners' Week is a great opportunity for you to get a taste of the positive impact that learning could have on your life. The remarkable stories of the outstanding learners we celebrate with our awards illustrate just how good learning is for your health, your confidence and your career. This is the perfect time to follow in their inspirational footsteps."
She ended, "Whatever you want out of life, learning can steer you in the direction you want it to go in. There will be thousands of events taking place across the country and to find out more about what's on offer where you are during this year's Adult Learners' Week, visit our website www.alw.org.uk or call learndirect free on 0800 100 900."
