The scale of the challenge is obvious and, in Birmingham, affects around 1 in 5 of the adult population (more than 140,000 adults)
The national strategy includes a new national curriculum, national tests, intensive tutor training, national targets and work to reach new groups of adults.

There will be increased focus on basic skills work with jobseekers and benefit claimants; work via the prison and probation services; upskilling of public sector employees; work via employers; work via services to young people aged 16 25 and increased work with adults in low skilled communities.
The scale of change that the school system has contributed to over the last 3 or 4 years (and which has seen a doubling of attainment rates and improved literacy/numeracy outcomes for an extra 20,000 pupils over this time) is set to be repeate''d with adults.

As this new national 'wave' has been building up, Birmingham has been preparing itself to use the new momentum for maximum benefit. Adult basic skills are a key part of the new Learning and Skills Council's strategy to raise skills levels across Birmingham and Solihull.

This positive approach and Birmingham's active work in these areas, particularly through the strong partnership approach being taken, has been nationally recognised. Birmingham has been nominated as a Pathfinder area to lead on the introduction of the new strategy.