Basic skills and English for speakers of other languages

Jobcentre Plus customers can volunteer to take part in Basic Skills and English for speakers of other languages, funded by the Learning and Skills Council.

Since September 2006, Jobcentre Plus has been testing a new approach to encourage customers with basic skills needs to take up this learning option if a lack of these skills is preventing them from finding a long-term job.
Customers may be entitled to our training allowance or premium training, and help with travel and child care costs, if they undertake learning on a full-time basis.

Building on this approach, a new programme designed specifically for our customers, has now been tested in some areas in all regions across England. This has resulted in the development of the Basic Skills Employability Programme.

Basic Skills Employability Programme.
This has been developed by DWP, the Department for Educations & Skills and the Learning and Skills Council. It has four core aims:

• to provide training and support to Jobcentre Plus customers with literacy, language and numeracy needs
• to improve their skills
• to help people gain qualifications
• to help people re-enter the job market

The programme is suitable for customers with literacy, numeracy and language needs at NVQ Entry level 1,2 and 3 and Level 1.

A wide range of customers will be eligible for this training, including those entitled to Income Support, Incapacity Benefit, Jobseekers Allowance and those participating in New Deal for Lone Parents and New Deal for Partners.