Greater emphasis on skills training has been hailed as the way forward for many people who left school with few or no qualifications.

Essential skills – such as those in the building sector – are today in focus as the Stormont Employment and Learning Minister, Dr Stephen Farry, announced the launch of the 2012 Essential Skills Awards.

The launch coincides with recent statistics, which highlight a 65% increase in Essential Skills enrolments throughout Northern Ireland.

In what has been described as an excellent opportunity to highlight inspirational people who have taken the brave step back to learning - many of whom left school with few or no qualifications - the Minister said: "The Essential Skills Awards are an excellent opportunity to highlight inspirational people who have taken the brave step back to learning, many of whom left school with few or no qualifications.

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"To date, over 71,600 people have achieved over 128,500 Essential Skills qualifications. Gaining these skills not only improves their day-to-day lives through increased confidence but also helps up-skill the workforce, contributing to a stronger local economy.

“Last year we had a record number of entries to the competition and I believe we can do even better this year, especially as we have seen a 65% increase in Essential Skills enrolments between 2008/09 and 2010/11."

The Awards are designed to recognise and celebrate outstanding achievements in literacy, numeracy and ICT learning. The competition, which is now in its fifth year, is open to Essential Skills learners from across Northern Ireland.

Last year’s winner, Marieanne O'Shea said: "Participating in the Essential Skills Awards has acted as a stepping stone to progress my career. Improving my IT skills provided the stimulus for me to continue with learning and progress to my ultimate career goal of being a midwife."

The winners will be presented with their awards in March at a lunchtime event at Hillsborough Castle hosted by Sarah Travers.

There are six regional award categories, an ICT award and a Trade Union learner award from which an overall Northern Ireland Learner of the Year is chosen.

(HMcE)