http://www.skillsforlifenetwork.com/skills-for-life-informationKnowledgebase of news and information(c)Skills Digital Limited 20125Research has found that many UK businesses have serious concerns about the literacy skills of recent school leavers. The Youth Literacy and Employability Commission is a joint venture between the All-Party Parliamentary Parliament Group on Literacy and the National Literacy Trust to gather evidence and make recommendations to Government on what action is required.http://www.skillsforlifenetwork.com/article/youth-literacy-employability-commission/4687Fri, 14 Jun 2013 sfln_atk4687The 'Functional Skills - six months into delivery’ survey was devised to capture the current situation of providers delivering Functional Skills and other English and maths delivery.http://www.skillsforlifenetwork.com/article/research-report-published-functional-skills/4684Mon, 10 Jun 2013 sfln_atk4684The FE Choices website has now been updated, and success rate data is now available for 2011/2012.http://www.skillsforlifenetwork.com/article/choices-success-rates-2011/4677Thu, 23 May 2013 sfln_atk4677This starter kit aims to support providers in their delivery of functional skills by providing practical guidance and resources.http://www.skillsforlifenetwork.com/article/functional-skills-starter-kit/4676Wed, 22 May 2013 sfln_atk4676The Skills Funding Agency has announced an extension to 31 July 2014 for interim funding arrangements for small qualifications.http://www.skillsforlifenetwork.com/article/funding-small-award-size-qualifications/4667Thu, 18 Apr 2013 sfln_atk4667A British Council series of six teacher training videos, filmed as part of a seminar series, is now available on the ESOL Nexus website.http://www.skillsforlifenetwork.com/article/esol-teacher-training-videos-resources/4669Mon, 15 Apr 2013 sfln_atk4669From 28 October 2013, those applying to settle in the UK, or become naturalised as British citizens, will be required to pass the Life in the UK Test and to hold a B1 (intermediate) level English language speaking and listening qualification.http://www.skillsforlifenetwork.com/article/statement-intent-outlines-new-requirements/4668Tue, 09 Apr 2013 sfln_atk4668Reforms to GCSE qualifications include testing extended writing in subjects such as English, and fewer bite-sized and overly structured questions in mathematics.http://www.skillsforlifenetwork.com/article/latest-policy-position-reforms-gcses/4659Wed, 13 Mar 2013 sfln_atk4659A resource from Ofsted outlining how Darlington Borough Council’s adult service’s family learning team provides intensive support to start a learning programme in learners’ own homes and support them towards joining family learning courses later.http://www.skillsforlifenetwork.com/article/good-practice-resource-effective-learning/4657Tue, 12 Mar 2013 sfln_atk4657The Skills Funding Agency has set out its funding position for existing and new Skills for Life ESOL qualifications.http://www.skillsforlifenetwork.com/article/esol-qualifications-that-will-supported/4653Mon, 18 Feb 2013 sfln_atk4653Funded by BIS, TechDis Jess and Jack are high-quality, youthful, modern, natural sounding synthetic voices for use with text-to-speech (TTS) tools. These are ideal for people with print impairments, such as dyslexia, but just about everyone can benefit in some way.http://www.skillsforlifenetwork.com/article/free-high-quality-voices-use/4646Mon, 11 Feb 2013 sfln_atk4646The Skillswise website now has several clips from the BBC consumer affairs show Watchdog Daily. The clips offer advice and useful tips on how to brush up your maths and English skills to get a better deal.http://www.skillsforlifenetwork.com/article/watchdog-daily-clips-now-available/4643Fri, 08 Feb 2013 sfln_atk4643