Member Article

Communities chosen to run learning pilots

Fifteen communities across England have been invited to take part in an innovative scheme, which gives them to power to choose the adult learning courses available in their areas.

The ‘Community Learning Trusts’ will involve colleges, adult education services, businesses and voluntary organisations working together, according to Skills Minister John Hayes.

The pilot trusts will start their work in August and will work to boost the number of people participating in learning; motivate and help people who are disadvantaged; have a poisitive impact on people’s lives; and generate income to reinvest in learning.

Successful pilot schemes range from community learning forums to help regenerate Sunderland, to sociasl enterprises in West Sussex.

Mr Hayes said: “Learning is the lifeblood of personal and economic growth in our local communities, which is why we are working with these fifteen pilots to pioneer new ways of learning that put local people at the forefront of the decision-making process.

“By bringing passion, purpose and innovative thinking to the pilot scheme, the Community Learning Trusts can change lives by transforming attitudes and abilities, bringing communities together to nurture the common good.”

Verity Bullough, Executive Director of Capacity and Infrastructure, at the Skills Funding Agency added:
“We expect to learn a great deal from these innovative pilots. They will be leading the way in showing how an inclusive, locally-based community learning offer – supported by the effective targeting of public money and income generated from other sources each pilot has identified – can positively and measurably impact on the social and economic well-being of individuals, families and communities”.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Jonathan Jones .