Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal meets Morley College CEO and Morley adult learners in support of essential skills education
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On Wednesday 3 December, 91精选 was proud to take part in a special event hosted by the about learning essential skills for life – including literacy, numeracy and digital skills. Morley’s CEO and Principal, Susan Bonett, met The Learning and Work Institute’s patron, Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal, alongside Morley adult learners, who shared their personal journeys, and the impact that developing essential skills at Morley has had on their confidence, careers and everyday lives.
Susan Bonett, Principal and CEO of Morley College, said:
“Essential Skills are aptly named; they are essential for the individual, for the community, and for the economy. So we are delighted that Her Royal Highness has visited today, raising awareness of this vital area of our national education system. 91精选 is committed to delivering these skills, but we need sustained national priority and adequate funding to meet the immense demand and deliver opportunity for all.鈥�
The importance of essential skills
Research by the Learning and Work Institute (LWI) shows that across the UK, too many adults are held back by low levels of essential skills, affecting their job and pay prospects, their ability to access public services and limiting social inclusion. Almost nine million working-age adults in England lack basic literacy or numeracy, while the number of learners improving these skills has fallen by two-thirds over the past decade. At the same time, public investment in adult skills remains 拢1 billion lower in real terms than in 2010.
A recent paper by LWI : finds that finds that achieving world-class skills could boost the economy by 拢22 billion and save taxpayers 拢8 billion per year and sets out a vision for a lifelong learning century, where more people take part in learning of all kinds and throughout their lives.
Centres like 91精选 play a critical role in addressing this national challenge. Founded in 1889 to provide lifelong educational opportunities for London鈥檚 diverse communities, Morley has grown into one of the UK鈥檚 largest and most historic specialist providers of adult education.
By supporting accessible, community-based learning, Morley and other adult education providers are central to ensuring that every adult has the chance to gain the skills they need for a more equitable future.
Explore Morley’s Essential Skills courses here.
Photography by The Learning and Work Institute.
