CfBT is a major contributor to the Government's Skills for Life strategy to raise the quality of teaching and learning in adult literacy, numeracy and language (ESOL) provision.

CfBT delivers:

CfBT works with a diverse range of partners to manage national Skills for Life projects and directly provides Skills for Life in prisons, young offender institutions and for socially excluded people.

The Skills for Life Quality Initiative, delivered on behalf of The Quality Improvement Agency for Lifelong Learning (QIA), has two key aspects: a whole organisation approach to language, literacy and numeracy and the professionalisation of the workforce.

The eight national priorities for 2006 - 2007 are:

  • support for developing whole organisation approaches
  • embedding Skills for Life
  • Skills for Life leadership and management training
  • extension of the facilitator network to include coaching and mentoring
  • promoting the e-learning agenda
  • supporting the interface between Key Skills and Skills for Life
  • development of a CPD framework and IAG
  • dissemination of good practice.

The Skills for Life Materials for Embedded Learning, designed and developed on behalf of DfES, are for teachers from vocational, professional and community education.

The materials have been developed as a resource, not a course. They should be used to supplement existing materials where the teacher feels it is appropriate.

Teachers can copy the materials either from black and white masters, or via the PDF and Word® resources supplied on CD-ROM and available on the website.

The Supporting Dyslexic Learners in Different Contexts project, commissioned by the DfES, is an innovative training programme that combines guided study with supported distance learning.

Aimed at teachers and support staff from Further Education, community learning, workplace and offender settings, it will give participants a general awareness of dyslexia and offer practical advice and strategies to support dyslexic learners.

The Key Skills Support Programme (KSSP) for schools and colleges, led by LSDA, supports for the delivery of key skills and related Skills for Life provision.

The programme raises awareness and understanding of key skills by providing advice and information, producing materials on teaching and learning, and organising training courses, conferences and workshops.

The Sussex Skills for Life Development Centre supports Sussex based education and training providers. It works with local partners to offer curriculum development, continuous professional development and learning in the workplace.

Together with its local partner FE Sussex, the centre provides expert services for Skills for Life tutors and managers, employers and teacher trainers to increase the impact and quality of Skills for Life in Sussex.

The Professional Training for Subject Learning Coaches, led by LSDA, is a professional training programme for post 16 vocational education providers. It aims to introduce new teaching and learning resources and help staff explore new ways of delivering learning and supporting others via peer coaching. CfBT provides logistical support for the programme.