Partner Article

Lack of time keeps people from learning new skills

33% of adults in the North East name lack of time as the main reason for not learning new skills, a report from the Learning and Skills Council (LSC) revealed this week. 30% of adults say a lack of money keeps them from learning new skills. Others feel they are too old or just don’t feel motivated.

Nationally, slightly less adults (29%) say a lack of money is stopping them from learning a new skill with more (39%) blaming a lack of time. While time was the major barrier to learning for men, across the country, lack of money was the major deterrent for female respondents.

The study was commissioned to mark the launch of Skills Street, a campaign that aims to highlight the importance and benefits of improving skills. The campaign began on Saturday 7 June on a street in Skipton, near Leeds, when a panel, including television presenter Carol Smillie, visited homes to assess the skills residents have and which they feel they lack. The panel offered advice, highlighting the skills they may benefit from and suggesting local training providers.

The campaign also aims to highlight the financial benefits of learning a new skill - the LSC believes that investing money and time in learning could increase one’s annual salary by £2,000 to £3,000.

Chris Roberts, LSC North East regional director, said: “The campaign aims to show people that learning a new skill is not as difficult as it may first appear and to let people know about the variety of learning and funding options available to them, including Apprenticeships and the Adult Learning Grant. “Some 1,530 in the region have been supported in learning thanks to the Adult Learning Grant since it was rolled out nationally last year.”

The LSC also launched the “In Our Hands” website for employers and employees about ways to improve skills, funding and apprenticeships.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .