As the Department for Employment and Learning continues efforts to reduce the number of adults who experience problems with numeracy and literacy, new research has shown that adult education plays an important role in strengthening the province's economy.

The research study, entitled Learning Works, carried out by the Educational Guidance Service for Adults (EGSA) for Open College Network Northern Ireland (OCNNI), revealed that OCN accreditation encourages many adults to progress onto further learning and employment.

Employment and Learning Minister Sir Reg Empey was among MLAs who attended the launch of the study, as well as representatives from DEL, learning providers and adult learners from across Northern Ireland.

OCNNI was established in 1995 to formally recognise the achievements of adult learners. It offers high quality, flexible, credit-based qualifications.

Eileen Kelly, director of EGSA, who spoke at the launch, said: "The findings show that adult education plays a very important role in supporting the Government's agenda for an economically focused curriculum.

" There is clear evidence provision which is designed to support progression, particularly in vocationally related areas, really works. The findings show OCN NI continues to provide progression opportunities in education and training to groups who have not benefited from conventional education provision.

"We conducted the research over a four-month period in partnership with Belfast Metropolitan College, Southern Regional College, WEA, Opportunity Youth and South Eastern Regional College."

Among the research findings were that learners surveyed said the course increased their employment opportunities and helped them to progress to further learning.

Other conclusions were that 78% of learners said their course gave them new skills, while a quarter who engaged in vocationally related learning and were unemployed prior to their OCN course are now employed.

Annie Moore of OCN NI said many adults who benefit from post 16 learning and then progress to other opportunities, risk being excluded under emerging government policy.

She said: " The research carried out by EGSA shows that, in many cases adults who go back to learning will start off by completing a short OCN course often accredited at Level 1 and then progress from there.

"We want to make sure that in developing new policies that our new ministers do not forget about adult learners and the importance of offering a second chance. We do not want to have a situation where groups are marginalised further by education policy."