INSPECTORS have recognised that hundreds of adult learners “are improving their chances of getting a job” within Wigan Council’s adult education and skills service.

The service has been praised by watchdog Ofsted for its impact on mature students and how many have increased their self-confidence, improved their self-esteem and developed resilience.

The positive impact on learners has been attributed to the local authority's programmes within the adult social care and health directorate.

At the time of the inspection, in which the service was rated "good" overall, there were 689 learners enrolled on adult learning programmes, including 13 on traineeships.

The report highlights how the work of tutors has fostered a positive environment for learners and this has resulted in a number of course attendees raising their aspirations about what they can achieve in the future.

A clear pathway for development is also mentioned in the report with many on the courses moving on to apprenticeships, higher education and higher level employment.

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Assistant director for provider management and market development at the council, Jo Willmott, said: “This latest report highlights the continued success that our adult education and skills service is having for residents in the borough.

“It’s particularly encouraging to read that inspectors highlighted the positive impact that programmes are having on peoples’ future employment and raising their aspirations for the future.

“The hard work of staff both in Wigan Council and across the seven subcontractors has shone through in this Ofsted report and we are really pleased that inspectors recognised the good services being offered.

“Despite this judgement of 'good' by Ofsted, we will take on board recommendations in the report on where we can improve and will strive to ensure these areas are prioritised moving forward.”

Over the course of four days in October, inspectors collected a wide range of evidence to inform judgements including observing learning sessions, seeking the views of learners, staff and other stakeholders, and examining the provider’s documentation and records.

Most learners study qualifications in English, mathematics, information and communication technology, courses for employment or programmes in construction, creative and performing arts and digital media.

Another positive coming out of the report references leaders’ ability to plan the curriculum well with participants able to take advantage from high-quality careers advice and guidance continuously through the programme.

Wigan’s adult education provision was one of the first Ofsted inspections utilising the new framework, which was introduced in September and has a particular focus on the importance of adult learning to the council.

The adult community learning team welcomed the shift in emphasis of the inspection as a more collaborative and productive experience.

It has helped identify specific improvements needed in the council’s ambition to move closer to an outstanding report by continually improving opportunities for residents.

Inspectors did identify a small number of improvements needed in some cases, in respect of managers being able to provide a few tutors with subject specific development programmes that could improve the quality of their teaching.