Originally published 13 June 2003

A new centre to support professional development in teaching essential skills has been opened at Warwick University by Ivan Lewis, Parliamentary under Secretary of State for Adult Learning and Skills.

The Essential Skills Professional Development and Resource Centre is funded by the local LSC and is located in the Centre for Lifelong Learning. The centre will play a pivotal role in the achievement of regional basic skills targets.

Providing training, resources and advice the centre will help teachers, trainers and support workers to teach basic skills, such as literacy and numeracy. The centre will facilitate the sharing of good practice and offer specialist support to educators who may be unfamiliar with techniques for developing basic skills.

To support the work undertaken in the Essential Skills Centre the Centre for Lifelong Learning is currently developing one of the first undergraduate pathway programmes for essential skills teachers and trainers working within the post compulsory education and training sector.

It is estimated that in Coventry and Warwickshire there are in excess of 120,000 adults who have literacy, numeracy or language difficulties. The new centre and qualifications will provide an important resource to help teachers and trainers tackle this issue.

Dr Fergus McKay, Academic Director of Open Studies said: "The opening of the Essential Skills Centre at the University reflects our commitment to widening participation both on and off the campus and signifies the development of new and exciting relations with partner organisations in adult and post compulsory education and training."

More information about the Essential Skills Professional Development and Resource Centre is available from Dr Fergus McKay, Fergus.McKay@warwick.ac.uk.