ALG to go nationwide to help adults with learning costs.

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The Learning and Skills Council (LSC) has announced the national roll out of the Adult Learning Grant (ALG), a £35 million investment that follows a successful pilot programme that began in 2003 and has spread to 24 areas of England.

ALG is a weekly grant designed to help adults studying full-time with the costs of learning. The grant pays up to £30 per week for full time learners aged 19 and over who are studying for their first full level two or level three, which is the equivalent to 5 GCSEs or 2 A levels.

Developed as part of a new Government initiative to improve the levels of both vocational and academic skills in the UK, ALG is intended to be a helping hand for adults who want to learn more skills, but have certain financial worries.

Mark Haysom, Chief Executive of the Learning and Skills Council, said: “We found that many people felt held back in their careers by a lack of skills, but often financial problems stopped them from learning these skills. In pilot areas, ALG has already started to help people cross this barrier. It’s been great to see that 95 per cent of people involved in the pilot campaign have applied for courses that teach job-related skills that will help them progress in their careers. “

The pilot campaign has been a proven success in improving retention, with 93% of ALG learners completing their courses against the average of 85%.

Skills Minister Phil Hope said: “This Governments sweeping reforms to raise skills and improve peoples life chances mean that the Government will support low-income learners to ensure that they are not prevented from participating in learning and training. The Adult Learning Grant is now being extended to full national coverage from this September to help people meet the additional costs of learning.

“ALG will now complement the entitlement to free tuition for young adults aged 19-25 undertaking first level 2 or 3 qualifications – equivalent to 5 good GCSEs or 2 A levels. We will ensure everyone has the skills they need for employability and that employers get the skilled people they need for better productivity and the competitiveness of the nation”.

Mark Haysom added: “ALG offers learners a helping hand to get back into education, without having to worry about financial problems. It can be used to help with anything from the cost of books and materials through to childcare costs.”

To find out about eligibility, potential ALG candidates should visit Student Services at their local college, call 0800 100 900 or visit the website www.direct.gov.uk/alg