Skills for Life – Dundee DWP and HMRC Pilot Sites.
Union Learning Reps (ULRs) in HMRC’s Sidlaw House and DWP Dundee Pension Centre have been undertaking training to enable them to participate in this major pilot.
In August and September the ULRs from both buildings studied to obtain the Scottish Qualifications Authority Professional Development Award (PDA) in Developing Literacies Learning Programmes for the Workplace. This involved several full days studies over the two months and completion of a number of written assignments.
The Leitch report, which was commissioned by the Government, looked at the skills level of the workforce and concluded that there was a need to improve everyone’s skills in basic literacy, numeracy and IT to Level 2 (Level 5 in Scotland).
Leitch recommended that employers should show their commitment to improving the skills of the workforce by making a pledge. His recommendations apply to both public and private sector employers. The Government considers that Government Departments should be exemplars.
In the case of DWP the Permanent Secretary, Leigh Lewis, signed the Skills Pledge in April 2007. The Skills Pledge links in to DWP Values, IiP and the principle of staff development.
Also in April 2007, HMRC signed the Leitch Skills Pledge, making a long term commitment to support all staff in gaining a minimum of a Level 2 qualification (equivalent to five GCSE grades A to C). Although the original target set was 90% of staff to be at Level 2 or above by 2020, Gus O’Donnell subsequently asked departments to increase their target within the current Comprehensive Spending Review period.
Leitch has been accepted in principle by the Scottish Government, which has its own strategy on Skills for Life, otherwise known as Everyday Skills or Adult Literacies. The Adult Literacy and Numeracy in Scotland Report (2001) defines adult literacies as:
"The ability to read, write and use numeracy, to handle information, to express ideas and opinions, to make decisions and solve problems, as family members, workers, citizens and lifelong learners."
There are about 800,000 adults in Scotland who have difficulties with literacies. The skills gap may not be so great in the civil service but is there. Up to 20% have literacy problems and up to 50% have numeracy problems.
In the social context lack of numeracy skills can lead for example to financial problems which can have a knock on effect at work. At work many DWP staff can cope in their current post but would not be confident of progressing. Improved Skills for Life can increase self-esteem, lead to better pay and help family development.
The Skills for Life strategy is strongly supported by DWP at a corporate level but local partnership is essential for delivery.
Union Learning Representatives are a key part of this delivery. They will work using an assessment tool provided by the SQA and in conjunction with local providers. The confidentiality provided by ULRs is important, as is the voluntary aspect of participation. PCS with the help of Scottish Union Learning Fund money has set up a Skills for Life Committee to oversee a pilot exercise in DWP and HMRC.
The Departments are represented along with other key players. DWP and PCS have agreed a “Statement of Intent” around this pilot. Pilot sites were identified in autumn 2008 and one of the sites chosen was Dundee Pension Centre. This site was chosen because of the track record of local ULRs and their relationships with management and providers.
