The Albany Learning Centre based at HMP Isle of Wight has recently carried out an initial assessment for all staff of the Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service.

The initiative, which was a joint partnership working between the fire brigades union and the POA, labeled Challenge the Service was run in late March and consisted of all members of the service from Chief fire officer to fire fighters completing a paper based initial assessment to capture a snapshot of their current literacy and numeracy levels.

The challenge was a great success with majority of staff taking the 'challenge' allowing staff to identify their current levels and signposting them for working towards achieving a national certificate in literacy and numeracy.