Member Article

Darts legend targets learning

Legendary darts commentator Sid Waddell has visited his native North East to ensure that a learning challenge hit the bullseye.

The Learning and Skills Council (LSC) North East laid down a sporting challenge to highlight its Skills for Life Get On campaign, which is aimed at improving adult numeracy and literacy skills.

Sid, Sky Sports’ ‘voice of the oche’, provided commentary while teams of employees from organisations in the region took part in darts matches.

Sid Waddell said: “Darts is a great way to show how important it is to be able to basic maths. The ability to do simple calculations not only helps people in their personal life with hobbies, such as darts, and everyday activities such as keeping an eye on household budgets, but can also help them progress further in their careers.”

There is evidence to suggest that many adults in the North East lack basic qualifications in maths and English. In 2003, 22% of the working age adults in the region had literacy skills below Level 1 (equivalent to a GCSE grade D to G) and 28% had numeracy skills below Entry Level 3 (national school curriculum equivalent for attainment at ages 9 to 11).

Chris Roberts, regional director, LSC North East, said: “For individuals, being able to do maths, read and write is essential when looking for a job or progressing in their career or for performing everyday tasks such as helping their children with homework or working out the results of their favourite sports teams.

“From an employer’s point of view, having a workforce armed with such skills helps raise the company’s game when it comes to productivity and competitiveness.”

The competitions involved workers from Gateshead Council, Ebac, a water cooler manufacturer in Bishop Auckland and Tristar Homes in Stockton.

For more information on brushing up on basic skills such as numeracy and literacy visit www.direct.gov.uk/geton.

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