DUBLIN, September 2 /PRNewswire/ --     ThirdForce, the UK's leading e-learning provider in the
hospitality and Skills for Life sector, celebrates this week with its
partner, Whitbread, the UK's leading hotel and restaurant group, having
received an excellent Ofsted report. ThirdForce partners with Whitbread to
deliver the literacy and numeracy element of their highly successful Skills
for Life programme.

ThirdForce delivers Skills for Life to Whitbread employees
through U-Skills, an innovative blended solution centred on online teaching
resources coupled with face-to-face learner support. It has been designed to
help tutors and workplace employers deliver skills for life training quickly
and effectively.

U-skills breaks new ground in combining diagnostic tools to
assess a learner’s level and existing knowledge of literacy and numeracy with
a bespoke Individual Learning Plan (ILP) and engaging e-learning resources to
teach the additional skills required.

The Whitbread Ofsted inspection focused on specialist
provision in hospitality and catering and literacy and numeracy. For literacy
and numeracy ThirdForce received a very pleasing Grade 2, "good" rating with
an overall success rate of 93 per cent. The Ofsted report also highlighted
the following strengths in the ThirdForce delivery of Skills for Life
provision:

- Very high overall success rates
    - Good development of motivation, confidence and skills by
      learners
    - Very flexible arrangements to access learning
    - Highly effective support



Success of the U-skills solution throughout the learner
journey was highlighted as; "Initial and diagnostic assessments are used
effectively to assess learners' levels of literacy and numeracy" through to
"most learners achieve their qualification at their first attempt."

The blended approach to Skills for Life delivery using the
U-skills solution is endorsed by the Ofsted inspection team, who commented
that "effective coaching and strong use of information learning technology
improves most learners' literacy and numeracy skills and helps them to
achieve their qualifications."

Sandra Kelly, core skills and apprenticeship manager at
Whitbread commented: "Improving the confidence of our teams by offering
support with literacy and numeracy is a key part of our Skills Strategy.
Embedding these key life skills has really helped individuals embrace their
personal development, boosting their self esteem and their work based
competence. We look forward to continuing to develop the programme in the
future."

Alan Maguire, managing director of ThirdForce UK and
International explained "We are delighted to read the highly successful
Whitbread Ofsted report. To receive this level of endorsement from the
inspection team validates our belief in our U-skills blended solution and the
dedication of our team of Learning Support Managers. We would also like to
congratulate Whitbread on receiving an "outstanding" rating for the
vocational Hospitality and Catering element of their apprenticeship
programme. We look forward to sharing in the continued learner and business
success of the programme with Whitbread."

For more information, please visit http://www.thirdforce.com

Follow ThirdForce on twitter http://twitter.com/thirdforce

ThirdForce Corporate Backgrounder

With over 26 years experience, ThirdForce Plc, is a leading
independent e-learning solutions provider, with a proven track record in
delivering state of the art, technology enabled e-learning solutions to over
17 million learners in leading companies in the commercial, hospitality,
education, government and healthcare sectors.

Blending technology, multimedia and pedagogy into unique
learning experiences that lift performance and raise standards, ThirdForce
provides a wide portfolio of e-learning solutions including IT Certification
courses, Compliance training and Business Skills.

E-learning courses and assessments prove to be highly cost
effective and change the way our clients do business. The ThirdForce business
model is flexible to the needs of each client, avoiding a `one size fits all'
approach. The extremely user friendly interface, makes the e-learning content
challenging, rewarding, relevant and, motivational.

ThirdForce plc is a global e-learning company, with commercial
head quarters in London and Columbus Ohio, with regional offices in Ireland
and Canada. It is listed on both AIM and IEX; further details are available
at http://www.thirdforce.com

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