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Adult Learning Grant Celebrates First Birthday
As the Adult Learning Grant today celebrates its one year anniversary since national roll-out in 2007, figures show that the scheme has soared to success over the past 12 months, providing financial support to a 3,820 adult learners in the North West since the scheme began1. Take-up in this first year of national roll-out has hugely exceeded expectations and has proved just how popular the scheme is.
Further research by the Learning and Skills Council (LSC) has also revealed that adults make fantastic learners, with 77% of adults in LSC funded further education provisions being successful in their courses2. This proves that although adults may face some of the biggest hurdles when it comes to going back to education, they make some of the best learners.
In fact, ALG, which offers adults up to £30 per week to go back to learning, was so successful when initially piloted across the UK in 2003-2006, that the national rollout was brought forward a year.
Just one example of this success is 26-year-old Kim Mitchell, from Lancaster, is now on track for a dream career in counselling, with help from an Adult Learning Grant (ALG). Kim said: “Getting the ALG took some of the pressure off me financially and I would definitely encourage other adults thinking of returning to college to apply for the grant.”
Trevor Fellowes, Director of Learner Support at the Learning and Skills Council, comments: “It’s fantastic to see what an impact the Adult Learning Grant is having for adults and that it has offered so many learners a helping hand in education.
The grant can be used to help with anything from the cost of books and materials, through to childcare costs and really does give critical support to adults who might not otherwise have the opportunity to go back to learning.”
If you are thinking about going back to college it’s time to start looking at your options. ALG could help you – to find out if you are eligible visit www.direct.gov.uk/alg or call 0800 121 8989 today.
