3.2 Widening participation in learning, training and the labour market

Whilst economic activity rates have increased over the last decade so that a high proportion of the available workforce is being utilised, particular groups of individuals still remain disengaged, and they are potentially a valuable resource. These include the long-term unemployed (particularly members of certain ethnic minorities), the early retired or the retired wishing to return to work, exoffenders, women returning to work, and those on incapacity benefits.

To widen participation in the labour market, issues such as accessibility, childcare provision, working hours, transport and appropriate training, which act as barriers to individuals being economically active, need to be addressed. By providing as much flexibility as possible, many of these issues can be resolved. This could involve a variety of learning environments, such as visiting remote communities, developing cost effective learning programmes and investigating more innovative learning techniques and delivery methods. Job Centre Plus also plays a key role in this process by aiming to provide people of working age with the help and support they are entitled to, if they cannot work.

Individuals in work, and those not in work, need to be able to access high quality learning from an effective delivery structure. This learning must excite and inspire individuals, if the project is to succeed with long-term solutions.

Data from the Department for Education and Skills (DfES) Skills for Life Unit (2003) shows that around 21% of the Oxfordshire adult population have difficulties with numeracy and/or literacy. There are clear statistical links between those with poor basic skills and unemployment and social exclusion, particularly when the demand for skills is rising at all levels of the economy. The message that ‘learning pays for everyone’ should be communicated as widely as possible.