Dr Sean Farren, Minister for Employment and Learning, has called on the trade union movement to play its full part in tackling Northern Ireland’s basic literacy and numeracy needs.

Speaking at a Conference on Workplace Learning, organised by the Northern Ireland Committee of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions, the Minister said: "Research has shown that some 24 per cent of adults in Northern Ireland have difficulties with literacy or numeracy. As a result, it is likely that many will either be trapped in lower-skill, low paid jobs, or find that the jobs in the new knowledge-based economy are closed to them."

"Tackling these issues through more work-based learning will help such people and their employers in ways that are relevant and convenient to them, while helping to build their self-confidence and skills."

Dr Farren also called for comment on the current strategy his Department is finalising that aims to deal with basic skills across Northern Ireland. He went on to stress that trade unions, in partnership with employers and education and training providers, are invaluable in the development of practical and effective work-place learning programmes to tackle the issue of adult literacy effectively. (CL)