Liverpool is top of the class for adult learners

ADULT learners in Liverpool are the highest achievers of any big City in the country; a new report has revealed. End of year figures from the Government's National Achievement Rate Tables (NART), show that learners with the Council's Adult Learning Service outperform their counterparts across Merseyside and in other big Cities, such as Manchester, Birmingham and Leeds.

The NART results demonstrate that Liverpool's learners have an overall achievement rate of 93%. The next nearest City is Birmingham, with an achievement rate of 88%. Achievement rates refer to the number of learners who have enrolled onto a course and then go on to gain a qualification.

The Adult Learning Service (ALS), run by Liverpool City Council, is also 1 of the best performing in terms of retention rates for students, with a figure of 95%. Whilst the authority can boast an overall pass rate of nearly 98%; the 2nd highest of any of the Core cities. In 2018 the Council worked with more than 8,000 adult learners aged 19 or over at venues across the City.

Deputy Mayor of Liverpool and Cabinet Member of Business, Economy and Skills Cllr Gary Millar said:- "This is an outstanding result for the Council's Adult Learning Service and a real testament to the ambition, dedication and professionalism of the staff, tutors and learners. Many of the people who start a course have no previous qualifications and they go on to achieve at levels which make them a really attractive proposition to prospective employers. We have seen our adult learners continue their studies right up to university level and many have gone on to enjoy rewarding careers in fields such as health and social care, science, technology and engineering. In Liverpool we believe that educational opportunities should be available to everyone, whatever stage of life they are at and regardless of their background or circumstances. Liverpool City Council's very own Adult Learning Service is an extremely effective service and 1 which we can all be proud of. It is providing tangible life changing results in the form of personal development and career opportunities for many people of our City."

Courses on offer include everything from learning new skills for personal development or hobbies, right through to nationally accredited programmes in subjects such as social care, teaching, information technology and business studies.

The ALS offers many free taster sessions and course fees have been designed to be within everyone's reach, with some costing as little as ₤10. In some cases funding may be available to help cover course costs and help with travel expenses, childcare and exam fees.

Through its Ways to Work programme, the ALS can also give learners support, advice and guidance with furthering their studies or finding a job. The service has been rated as:- 'good' by OFSTED, who in their last inspection noted that the ALS was:- 'striving to be an outstanding provider.'

You can find out more about Liverpool City Council's Adult Learning Service by visiting:- Liverpool.Gov.UK and searching for:- 'adult learning service.'

Liverpool hosts fact finding slavery commemoration visit

THE former French Prime Minister Jean Marc Ayrault, is visiting Liverpool, to see how the City commemorates the slave trade and celebrates Black history.

Mayor of Liverpool Joe Anderson said:- "The Port Cities of Nantes and Liverpool have much in common; whether it's our people, our maritime history, our love of culture and way in which we have used it to regenerate our cities and, regrettably, our role in the slave trade. We already have close links with Nantes, thanks to our hugely successful partnership with Royal De Luxe which has brought the Giants to the City 3 times to tell important historical stories. The visit from Monsieur Ayrault is also a chance to explore further opportunities to benefit both of our Cities."

Monsieur Ayrault, who was PM of the country from 2012 to 2014, is Chair of a new French Foundation For The Memory Of Slavery:- 'Fondation pour la memoire de l'esclavage' and has been invited to Liverpool by Mayor Joe Anderson. For 23 years, he was Mayor of Nantes, during which time he commissioned a slavery exhibit in the City.

His visit, which starts, on Monday, 8 July 2019, comes almost 20 years since Liverpool became the 1st UK City to express its:- "shame and remorse for the City's role in this trade in human misery" and make an unreserved apology.

In 2007, National Museums Liverpool opened an International Slavery Museum at the Albert Dock, highlighting the international and historical significance of the transatlantic slave trade. In the same year the Government expressed deep remorse for Britain's role in the trade. Monsieur Ayrault will visit the museum on Monday.

Laura Pye, Director, National Museums Liverpool said:- "We are proud to confront Liverpool's role in the transatlantic slave trade. We welcome the support of our local, community and international partners. Only by working together, can we communicate this period in history and make sure it is never repeated. It will be a pleasure to meet Monsieur Ayrault and I look forward to sharing our work with him. Such visits are critical because slavery is not a thing of the past; its legacy of racism and hate crime is all around us today. While modern slavery is a problem not only globally, but across the UK, including here in Liverpool and the North West, ongoing dialogue and action is crucial."

On Tuesday, 9 July 2019, he will spend time at Princes Park to look at where a permanent memorial to Nelson Mandela will stand. The memorial will also include a new 'Freedom Bridge', pavilion and 32 cylindrical stoneworks inscribed with inspirational Mandela quotes. The pedestals represent the oil drums Mandela used to grow an allotment on the rooftop of Pollsmoor Prison.

Sonia Bassey, Chair and 1 of the founding members of Mandela8, said:- "We are delighted to host Monsieur Ayrault and show him the exciting plans to remember Nelson Mandela. Our City has such a proud record of strong connection and history with the campaign to free Mandela, a campaign which brought community activists and trades unionists together with 1 voice. The Princes Park memorial will aim to break down barriers within local communities, promote social and racial understanding, tolerance and tackle issues around cultural diversity."

The work at Princes Park reflects upon Mandela's love of gardens and horticulture along with his struggle for freedom, equality and humanity, and the spaces will be used for future activity in the park, acting as a focal point and an area to visit, reflect and educate.