Lecturers demand new direction for government Adult Education policy

UCU's annual national Congress in Manchester voted unanimously to condemn the loss of 1.4 million adult places in the last two years as priorities and funding have shifted to 14-19 provision and work related skills courses.

Lecturers also accused the government of going against the spirit of  the Leitch report on skills, and damaging community cohesion.

Maire Daley, lecturer at Liverpool Community College said: 'The shift of £1.3 billion by 2010, from adult education provided by further education colleges to the employer linked 'Train to Gain' programme means people miss out and colleges lose the funds to provide courses for them.

'Whether or not its the intention of the government, money invested in skills is focussing on people who are already working, and accrediting what people do rather than equipping them in new skills. Non-vocational adult education is disappearing. This is destroying the foundations upon which further studies are often built.'

Gavin Reid, lecturer at the University of Leeds, said:'The government's policies are bashing into each other and causing casualties all over the place. Ministers who say we should shift adult education 'from pilates to plumbing' misunderstand what adult learning is about. For many, adult education is not solely a hobby. It's part of the community cohesion agenda and a first step in getting people back into work.'

Lecturers pledged to campaign for a new government approach which would entitle adults to choose from a wide range of affordable courses.