It will see the colleges collaborating with other education and training organisations to encourage the development of skills by those who are unemployed, socially disengaged or reluctant to make use of further education.
Mr Lyttle said he was delighted with the news, as he had been calling for the programme to be extended since its pilot launch in November 2008.
Chris Lyttle MLA said: “Adult literacy and numeracy are essential components of self-esteem, social inclusion and the wider economic development of a region. That’s why this programme is such an important tool for those who would benefit the most from it.
“On a personal level, receiving qualifications are an important step for people to take in order to have a chance of gaining work, particularly in the current condensed employment market. The support this scheme offers will hopefully encourage more people back into learning.
“I praise Minister Farry for deciding to roll it out across Northern Ireland, as the pilot scheme has been praised by community groups and others for the success it has seen. I am passionate about adult learning and this programme is one of the ways to achieve better levels of that.”
ENDS