Workers Educational Association (WEA)

8.10.00am GMT Wed 10th Feb 2010

WEA have launched a 'Learning through life' campaign.

In response Stephen Williams MP says, "Liberal Democrats believe that high quality education and training, accessible to all, is crucial to the achievement of a fair, free and open society, by helping people to gain the skills, knowledge and aspiration to move out of poverty, It improves the productivity of the nation and our employers and above all, it widens people's horizons and opens up new choices and experiences to them.

I welcome the WEA's report 'Learning through life' and its contribution to the debate on whole life learning. The Liberal Democrats have been very critical of the Government's cuts to adult learning over recent years.

We would dramatically increase the opportunities for people of all age groups to benefit from our national investment in lifelong learning:

Covering the full fee costs for first level 3 qualifications (eg. A-levels, Advanced Apprenticeships and NVQ Level 3) for those over aged 25

Enhancing provision for Adult Community Education

Redirecting resources from the employer-led Train to Gain programme into Adult Education, Adult FE, and Adult Apprenticeships

Fully funding the off-the-job training costs of adult apprenticeships and developing a national application system to match employers with would-be apprentices."