The Department for Education and Skills commissioned the Skills for Life Survey to establish an evidence base to underpin the Skills for Life Strategy
The fieldwork for this survey was undertaken between July 2002 and May 2003 and the results were published in October 2003.
The aim was to produce a national profile of adult literacy, numeracy, ESOL, and information and communications technology (ICT) skills over five broad levels of competence.
The survey was divided into two parts, with a sample of respondents from the first interview taking part in the second. The first interview comprised a ‘background’ questionnaire, collecting behavioural and demographic data, and two tests, one for literacy and one for numeracy. The second interview comprised two ICT assessments, the first a test of awareness, and the second a test of practical skills.
