THE biggest shake-up in education and skills ever to hit the two counties has been unveiled in an annual £105m package.

The Learning and Skills Council Herefordshire and Worcestershire aims to spend the Treasury handout to revolutionise the way people are taught and work.

The move will affect nearly everyone in Herefordshire and Worcestershire, according to the two counties' LSC executive director, Alan Curless. It aims to:

Wipe out adult illiteracy by paying for the 24 per cent of adults aged 25 or older who cannot read or write to learn.

Make sure workers are fully trained to do their job to the best of their ability by paying for firms to send employees on tailor-made courses.

Ensure all college students are given the widest choice of subjects possible.

Open up education to everyone - even those living in small villages will be able to use a video-link between local schools and a sixth form college to learn the skills of their choice.

Prove every school in the two counties with a specialist status, and make sure the specialisms are not duplicated, and

Open up apprenticeships to more people.

"There's something for schoolchildren, for workers, for people nearing retirement age, and even for those with special needs," said Mr Curless.

"The two counties has never seen anything like this before. It's a very exciting time for us, and for every community."

The Strategic Area Review - known as or StAR - is part of the Government's Success for All initiative to improve post-16 education.

The LSC has spoken with more than 800 people and 300 stakeholders to target the main priorities.

From next month, it will put out its ideas for public consultation.

"What happens in the next few months will determine the future of education and employment opportunities for the next 25 years," added Mr Curless. "We want to hear from everyone who's affected, or will be affected."

The consultation will run from Monday, November 1, to Friday January 7.

For more information, log on to www.lsc.gov.uk, e-mail hwstarfeedback@lsc.gov.uk or write to Grace Andrews, Learning and Skills Council Herefordshire and Worcestershire, Progress House, Midland Road, Worcester WR5 1DU, marking the envelope HW StAR Feedback.