|
The "university for industry", Ufi
Limited, was set up by the government in partnership
with the public and private sectors. Ufi Limited in turn created
learndirect in 2001, a publicly-funded online learning service.
learndirect seeks to become both a household name for learning
and an ICT business solution for the UK workforce. The service
therefore has two parts: providing learning information and
advice services, and providing vocational "e-learning".
It is used by both individuals and employers, and its short,
computer-based courses can be accessed by individuals at home,
at work, at special learndirect centres and even at shopping
centres and pubs.
Ufi also has responsibility for all UK online centres, many
of which are in libraries (all libraries are UK online centres,
although only some are branded as such). learndirect is looking
at developing access to its services through new technology
such as mobile phones and digital television. More
on Ufi
learndirect aims to tackle non-involvement
in learning by providing an alternative for those who might
be inhibited by or prevented from using a conventional learning
environment. It makes learning accessible and flexible: learners
can take part as and when they wish to, can work at their
own pace and do not have to take exams. Learners are given
the opportunity to investigate routes to accreditation and
qualifications, but it is not assumed that these are the primary
goal. It is also hoped that each course will act as a stimulus
to explore new but related learning.
In a survey carried out for learndirect in December 2001-January
2002, 60% of respondents said that this was the first learning
that they had undertaken in the past three years, and 24%
said that they would not have taken part in any learning if
learndirect had not existed.
For adult basic skills information
and general education courses available in your area call
the learndirect helpline on 0800 100 900 (this
covers general courses, not just learndirect ones). An adviser
will send out a free 'Get On' video with more information
on the reasons for improving basic skills and how to go about
it. Or visit www.learndirect.co.uk
Meeting
regional needs
While some learndirect centres are large and serve big populations,
others are being developed to meet the needs of a particular
group in the community. For example, the Shaw IT Training
centre in Newcastle city centre caters specifically for adults
with a disability; the CEP Associates learndirect Centre in
Ashington has been working with learners from deprived groups
and delivering Skills for Life provision in the workplace;
and Lynemouth Resource Centre in Lynemnouth, Northumberland
is a resource centre for the community of the village and
surrounding area.
learndirect
in pubs
Five learndirect access points were set up in pubs across
Dorset in 2002, in a project which aims to attract hesitant
adults into learning by presenting them with new opportunities
in familiar environments. The computers in the pubs, which
are situated in remote rural areas, allow people to access
online learning as well as other internet sites, and it is
hoped that this will boost their confidence and help them
to develop their skills. A facilitator from the local community
is on hand to give support. The project is run by the Countryside
Agency and the Department for Education and Skills and managed
by Learning Action Dorset.
Severn Vale Housing is working
with learndirect to invest in one of the communities it serves.
More on Severn Vale and
learndirect
Links:
The concept of a University for Industry was floated by
Shadow Chancellor, Gordon Brown, and Shadow Secretary of State
for Education and Employment, David Blunkett, prior to the
1997 general election. The Institute for Public Policy Research
then explored the idea through extensive consultation with
business and industry, education and training providers and
interest groups. The IPPR produced its report in 1996 and
used the term University for Industry to describe a new type
of open learning agency that it saw as being potentially "central
to the revolution in post-compulsory educational provision
which is necessary in the UK".
The report is available from IPPR £7.50 Tel 020 7470
6100.
A working group, chaired by the chairman of Motorola, David
Brown, advised on how the University for Industry should be
set up. The IPPR had been asked to do initial work on what
form the University should take. It launched a pilot project
with the University of Sunderland and a range of companies,
TECs, local authorities, educational institutions and voluntary
organisations. The aim was to persuade local people, who have
one of the lowest post-16 participation rates in the country,
to take part in updating their work skills.
The pilot project began with a network of learning centres
- from Sunderland Football Stadium to shopping centres, factories,
libraries and schools - and a free telephone helpline available
14 hours a day giving advice on individual needs. It included
a wide range of subjects and levels of courses in a variety
of learning styles.
In March 1998 the Government announced Britain was to receive
£160 million from the EU to help set up the University
for Industry to upgrade the skills of workers. The Ufi's priorities
include tackling literacy problems.
The University for Industry, Ufi Ltd, became the organisation
behind a new brand, which is now the main name of the initiative:
learndirect. learndirect
is a national multi-media learning network, signposting learners
to opportunities that already exist and pointing out where
the new courses are needed. It received £5 million in
start-up costs. learndirect was rolled out nationwide in autumn
2000, accompanied by a national TV and press advertising campaign
promoting the services of the helpline in providing information
and advice on a variety of adult learning opportunities. The
helpline is 0800 100 900.
| 80px.gif)
