Learning and skills provider Learndirect has today launched Make It Count Week - an initiative to help raise the profile of learning for individuals and employers across the UK.

The aim of Make It Count Week is to encourage 10,000 people to sign up to learning during the next seven days. Thirteen partners, including the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, the National Apprenticeship Service, job board  Totaljobs and Centrepoint, aim to help Learndirect spread the word.

The scheme's partners, who will be encouraging people to get the skills, qualifications and self-belief needed to get ahead in a tough job market, want to get more than 200,000 sign-ups in the next 12 months.

Make It Count Week also aims to act as a call-to-action to employers to help support and motivate their workforce with training opportunities.

John Hayes, minister of state for further education, skills and lifelong learning said: "The social and economic importance of practical learning cannot be overestimated. learndirect’s campaign will play a valuable role in inspiring people from all walks of life to learn new skills, as well as offering vital guidance to help translate aspiration into action. Building lives by building life chances."

Sarah Jones, chief executive at learndirect said: "At learndirect we have witnessed first hand the huge opportunities that training can open up for individuals and employers. Make It Count Week is all about encouraging people to learn new skills and get the qualifications they need to improve their job prospects. We hope it inspires more people to take the first steps towards making learning count for them."

To become a part of Make it Count Week, visit www.learndirect.co.uk or visit your nearest learndirect centre. For up to the minute information follow us on Twitter @ufi_learndirect and use #MakeItCount.