The Workers’ Educational Association (WEA) and their learners are celebrating having been recognised as an Essential Skills Centre of Excellence by CCEA (Council for Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment).

The WEA provides Essentials Skills courses in both literacy and numeracy designed to help people improve and enhance their reading, writing and maths.  The courses are offered free of charge through funding from the Department of Employment and Learning.

Last year almost 600 adults took part in Essential Skills courses provided by the WEA in learning centres across Northern Ireland.  One group of such learners who joined the WEA in their celebrations are from the Northern Ireland Civil Service.  They are part of the Workplace 2010 scheme organised by ANIC.  They face changes in their employment including privatisation and possible change of employer. Their  Essential Skills qualification will help them to secure a job with  a different employer or change to a new role within the Civil Service.