§ Lady Olga MaitlandTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what plans she has for encouraging lifetime learning; and if she will make a statement. [34567]
§ Mr. PaiceAll the respondents to the consultation confirmed the importance of lifetime learning to the economic success and competitiveness of business and individuals. They recognised that a great deal of progress has been made, but that there is still more to be done by all those involved. My right hon. Friend is publishing today a policy framework for the development of lifetime learning and placing a copy in the Library. The key elements of the framework are:
- employers investing in the training and development of employees;
- gaining the commitment of individuals to learning;
- improving access to learning;
- giving people of all ages the opportunity to acquire the basic skills on which to build further learning;
- developing effective partnerships nationally and locally to give practical effect to shared responsibility and to make the best use of resources.
I believe that the document sets out a framework of policy within which action by Government, in conjunction with other parties, will help towards achieving the long-term goal of a culture of lifetime learning for all.