EMPLOYERS are being urged to help plug the skills gap and encourage lifelong learning by sponsoring this year's Basingstoke Adult Learner Awards.

The awards, which are in their third year, have become a major fixture in the borough's calendar in celebrating the success of all generations who continue to study and upgrade their skills and knowledge.

Basingstoke College of Technology this week launched the awards, which will be presented at a gala evening on May 26.

Honours are up for grabs in five categories - including a Top Tutor award. Winners of each category will receive a certificate and £150 cash prize.

Other awards are for the Employee Learner of the Year, Higher education Learner of the Year, Individual Learner of the Year and Senior Learner of the Year.

Sponsors are needed for each category and the organisers are hoping businesses will play a major role in stepping forward with backing to make this year's celebration of learning the most successful ever.

Beverley Flanagan, director of marketing at communications at BCOT, said: "The Adult Learner Awards are very important for the borough of Basingstoke and Deane.

"It is an opportunity to celebrate achievements in learning and to encourage people back into education and training.

"This is the third year of celebrations and we are looking forward to receiving even more applications than last year."

At the 2004 awards presentations, BCOT principal Judith Armstrong said: "Learning is for the young and not so young.

"Our young people need the focus of a qualification aim, the prospect of a place at university, a job. But adult learning is different. It broadens the horizons, makes us reflect, rethink and change direction."

She added: "The town needs adults to be skilled, to help address the many skills shortages and employment opportunities that exist."

A runner-up in the 2004 Employee Learner of the Year category summed up what adult education can do for students.

Hairdresser Julian Pitt, from South Ham, said: "I would suggest to anyone thinking about getting back into learning that it would be a good thing because it broadens your horizons and keeps life exciting."

And Senior Learner of the Year Peter Weller, from Basingstoke, proved that learning new skills does not shut down in retirement.

When he picked up his award last year for his achievements in IT learning, he said: "My advice to anyone thinking of studying is to have a go - it will change your life."

Basingstoke Adult Learner Awards are being backed by Gazette Newspapers and Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council. Closing date for nominations is April 22.

For more information, contact Andrew Hiscox on 01256 306397 or log on to www.bcot.ac.uk