Fifteen communities chosen to run learning pilot schemes Friday, July 13, 2012 - 12:34

Fifteen partnerships across the country will take part in a pilot scheme, supported by NIACE, that will give communities more power to choose which adult learning courses are available in their area, which was announced by Skills Minister John Hayes on Friday 13 July.

The Community Learning Trusts will involve colleges, adult education services, businesses and voluntary organisations working together with their surrounding communities to provide courses that local people want.

The successful pilots range from five community learning forums being set up in regeneration areas in Sunderland, to a social enterprise in West Sussex which will expand the role of volunteer community champions to inspire people to get into learning. Between August 2012 - August 2013, the pilot Trusts will work to:

• Boost the number of people participating in learning.
• Motivate and help people who are disadvantaged.
• Have a positive impact on people's lives.
• Generate income to reinvest in learning.

Skills Minister, John 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, Skills Funding Agency, said:

"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."

David Hughes, Chief Executive of NIACE, said:

"The Government's support for these 15 Community Learning Trust pilots shows that they understand the value of, and are committed to supporting community learning. NIACE has always advocated for learning which empowers adults and the communities they live in."

"We know that a better understanding of what people want to achieve and a joint approach to designing learning leads to better outcomes."

"We are excited to be supporting and learning from these pilot Community Learning Trusts and look forward to the ideas and processes they will formulate over the next twelve months which will set the agenda for community learning in the future."

The successful Community Learning Trusts will be operating in Bedfordshire, Birmingham, Blackburn with Darwen, Brighton and Hove, Cheshire, Cumbria, Derby, Exeter, Kent, Sheffield, Solihull, Sunderland, Luton, West of England and West Sussex.