Every week should be adult learners’ week!
THIS week (June 18-22) is Adult Learners’ Week, an annual campaign that celebrates and promotes the value of adult learning opportunities and investing in skills in the workplace.
Chwarae Teg is committed to helping as many women as possible to reach their career goals.
The Women’s Career Development Programme Agile Nation2, which is funded by the Welsh Government and the European Social Fund, works with women to help them identify, develop and make the most of their strengths and talents while supporting them to gain the confidence and skills to be the best they can be in their career.
So far 1,978 women have enrolled on the programme, and Chwarae Teg is looking forward to helping more women to build the skills, knowledge and confidence to take the next step in their careers.
It is known that on a personal level adult learning changes lives and that on a national level it is key to increasing jobs and economic growth.
Low levels of adult skills is one of the main barriers to finding employment and progressing in work. It is also one of the main things holding Wales back as a nation.
Skills gaps are a particular problem. The latest information Chwarae Teg has, from the Employer Skills Survey 2015, shows 14% of employers reported skills gaps within their establishment, with approximately 54,000 staff lacking proficiency in their current role (4.5% of the workforce in Wales).
The proportion of employers with skills gaps actually fell between 2013 and 2015, and employers are to be congratulated for making good progress towards upskilling their workforces.
But if we are to fully close this stubborn skills gap, both individuals and employers must take more responsibility.
Just as serious and damaging as the persistent skills gap is the persistent gender gap.
Studies show women’s employment is concentrated in low-paid areas of the economy.
A particular issue for women in work is underutilisation, which is when employees have skills and qualifications above those required for their current role.
Chwarae Teg is working to address this through its Agile Nation2 programme.
It wants to see a Wales where everyone can achieve and prosper, no matter their gender.
To achieve this everyone, from the government down to the individual needs to understand and appreciate the value of investing in skills and in adult learning opportunities.
Chwarae Teg wants every week to be adult learners’ week in Wales.
■ For more information about the Agile Nation2 Career Development Programme visit www.cteg.org.uk to sign up for an introductory webinar. The programme is open to Welsh women working in the private or third sectors.