Thousands of adults who missed out on qualifications earlier in life are set to receive a financial 'kick start' from the National Council - ELWa to encourage them to get back into learning.

Under the new Individual Learning Accounts (ILA) Wales, people with low qualifications, or none at all, will be able to claim individual financial support towards the cost of learning.

The aim is to help to meet the National Council - ELWa and the Assembly Government's objective to widen participation in education and training and to promote lifelong learning through repeated use of the ILA payments, which can be worth up to £200 on each occasion claimed.

People will be able to apply for the new financial support which they can use to pay for learning with any one of 115 registered providers, including colleges, voluntary groups, private training centres, community initiatives and on-line learning organisations.

Said George McKechnie, Director of Participation at the National Council - ELWa: 'This gives people the encouragement to get back into learning in a way that suits them personally. We've found from experience that maximising choice and flexibility in this way is a strong incentive for individuals to kick-start a new pattern of learning in their lives.

'Many thousands of people in Wales would like to make up lost ground and gain some qualifications but keep putting it off through lack of funds. ILA Wales will act as the trigger to get them into a learning habit and greatly improve their prospects in life.'

ILA Wales has a budget of £2 million in its first year and up to 10,000 people are expected to take advantage of the new opportunity.

The programme is focused very firmly upon those regarded as most in need - people whose current qualifications are no higher than GCSE or the equivalent of Level Two in the National Qualifications Framework. Most of the funding will go to those on low earnings or various income related benefits.

MOVING ON

Former Swansea and international winger Leighton James made 54 appearances for Wales in the 70s and early 80s before moving into football coaching.

By 2000 the FAW were insisting that every coach in Wales should have a formal coaching qualification.

As he is a former professional football player the PFA (Professional Footballers Association) paid for two thirds of the cost of any training and Leighton was able to access the remaining funding through an ILA.

With the help of the PFA and an ILA he studied and passed an A-Licence for coaching.

Since achieving the latest qualification Leighton has been coach of Llanelli Football club and has played a major role in the League of Wales.