NORTH Wales Assembly Member, Mark Isherwood, has questioned the First Minister over report findings that older learners in Wales are not getting enough support from the Welsh Government.

The recently published Estyn report on the importance of learning for those aged 65 and over stated  that ‘the current emphasis on skills for employment has resulted in gaps in the provision for other older learners.’

Raising the matter with the First Minister this week, Mr Isherwood asked what provision the Welsh Government has made to increase awareness about the benefits that learning brings to older people.

Speaking in the Assembly Chamber, Mr Isherwood, who two weeks ago hosted an Active Ageing seminar in the Assembly, at which reference was made to the Estyn report, said: “How do you respond to the statements in that report that Welsh Government departments do not currently do enough to join up the different elements of the Older People’s Strategy and the Delivering Community Learning Policy Statement, and that current emphasis on skills for employment has resulted in gaps in provision for older learners, mainly those aged over 65 who have retired, some of whom are in isolated or vulnerable situations?”

The First Minister replied:  “The Estyn report, ‘Skills for Older Learners’ looked at delivery prior to the publication of the Delivering Community Learning for Wales Policy. That policy statement recognises the benefits of non-formal learning and encourages providers to be innovative in their approach.”  

Mr Isherwood added "That's odd, given that my question to the First Minister had stated that the Estyn report referred to the Welsh Government's Delivering Community Learning Policy Statement! Adult learning providers raised these concerns with me within the last fortnight".