Press Release
4th April 2002
£400,000 for Local Lifelong
Learning Project
People in Inverclyde who wish to
improve their skills will now find it easier, thanks to the New
Opportunities Fund.
The fund’s Community Access to Lifelong Learning programme has made an award of £398,700 to an Inverclyde project which offers accessible, flexible courses to those less likely to take advantage of the benefits lifelong learning offers.
MSP for Greenock & Inverclyde, Duncan McNeil, has welcomed the announcement, saying:
"Continuing to learn new skills and improve your existing ones enhances your quality of life. That is unarguable. Qualifications are a passport to a better paid, more rewarding and more secure job.
"Unfortunately, the bad memories many of us have of our school days can make us reluctant to return to education. But if you remember a classroom as a cold, unfriendly, intimidating place, then you are in for a pleasant surprise. Community learning centres – where lifelong learning will take place – are in local community centres, with bright warm rooms and a relaxed, friendly atmosphere. I can vouch for that because I have visited most of the centres involved.
"I am sure that this project, by reaching out to those less likely to continue in education and tailoring the courses on offer to suit their needs, will help overcome any reluctance and make it easier for them to take the all-important first step."
The project will offer short
"taster" sessions, introductory IT courses and
accredited training. In the long-term, it is planned to extend
the range of locations to other publicly accessible places such
as libraries, school wings and nurseries.
ENDS
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