This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Support for low income learners extended
14/03/2007
More people are to get help to meet the cost of learning, it was announced today.
Changes to the eligibility criteria for the Individual Learning Account (ILA) Scotland scheme are expected to extend its reach to 200,000 more people on low incomes.
The Individual Learning Account (ILA) provides up to £200 towards the cost of approved courses. Raising the eligibility income threshold from £15,000 to £18,000 will mean a significant increase in the numbers eligible for support from this summer.
The announcement comes on the day that an evaluation of the scheme was published, showing that both learners and providers are positive about the scheme and the financial support it provides. Ninety six per cent of learners interviewed expressed satisfaction with the scheme.
Deputy Lifelong Learning Minister Allan Wilson said:
"Giving as many people as possible the opportunity in take part in learning is a priority for the Executive. The ILA Scotland scheme has already helped 33,000 low-income learners since 2004. It is a scheme that is working well - as today's evaluation shows. It's helping learners, it's helping providers - it's a significant success.
"We want to build on that success. That is why we are making these changes to the qualifying income level - to allow many more people to get financial support for their studies."
Since the Executive launched the scheme in 2004, people aged 18 and over living in Scotland who earn £15,000 or less have been eligible for up to £200 towards the cost of approved courses ('ILA200'). From June 2007, those earning £18,000 or less will also become eligible for up to £200 of ILA funding.
Legislation implementing this change will take effect from June 1, 2007. From that point onwards application forms for newly-eligible ILA200 applicants can be requested from the ILA Scotland helpline.
More than 33,000 adults have used ILA Scotland to fund a wide range of learning since the scheme was launched. Many of those are dependant on state benefits but most are in work.
Funding of up to £100 towards the cost of specific courses will continue to be available to people who earn more than the revised income level.
Most of the learners who participated in the evaluation of the scheme had taken courses to gain new skills or knowledge. A high percentage had done so to get a qualification or to increase their self confidence. More than 80 per cent of learners are doing courses leading to some form of qualification. 96 per cent of learners interviewed expressed satisfaction with the scheme.
Learners, providers and partner organisations who participated in the evaluation highlighted a number of key strengths of the scheme, such as its ability to attract low income learners; the prestige associated with being an approved ILA Scotland provider; and the improved retention rates of ILA Scotland-funded learners.