Minority groups on target for learning

Over 50 learndirect staff attended a recent Hampshire conference aimed at encouraging people from all walks of life to take up learning.

The event, run by Fareham firm HSLH - which provides online courses to thousands of people in Hampshire, the Isle of Wight and Berkshire - was aimed at promoting adult education to ethnic minorities, disabled people and ëskills for lifeí learners across the region.

One such local resident who has already benefited from learndirect is 24-year-old King-Man Lai, who has Aspergerís syndrome, which is a mild form of autism.

King-Man, who lives in Portsmouth, had no formal education as a result of his learning difficulties, but after enrolling at the cityís OLN learndirect centre, he has now achieved a Level One pass in adult numeracy, and is working towards Level Two.

He said: ìThe staff at the centre were really helpful; my tutor helped me to plan my learning, and was always available to answer any questions I had. I would definitely encourage other people to do a course with learndirect.î

HSLH quality co-ordinator Hilary Gilbert-Jones, who organised the conference, said: ìKing-Man is a perfect example of the kind of person weíre hoping to reach as a result of this event, because heís received such a boost to his skills through online learning.

ìWe want to promote awareness of the benefits of lifelong learning among minority groups such as those with disabilities, learning difficulties and dyslexia, and people from ethnic minorities, as these are currently priority groups for the Government.

ìThere is a huge gap in literacy and numeracy around the country, and these groups are currently under-represented among basic skills students - so this conference is a great way of teaching the relevant staff how to promote learning to them.î

The day-long conference, which was held at Farehamís Cams Hall Estate, was intended to share good practice among lifelong learning professionals, and as a result, boost literacy and numeracy among its target groups.

Managers, administrators and tutors from learndirect centres around the three counties attended the event, which was opened by HSLH chief executive Denise Candy and also involved updates on new legislation such as the Disability Discrimination Act.

Speakers at the event involved staff from organisations such as the Governmentís University for Industry, and the Shaw Trust, a Portsmouth group which provides art and craft lessons to local disabled people.

Delegates also received advice from AbilityNet, the UK’s leading charity for promoting IT technology to adults and children with disabilities, which has been commissioned to provide intensive support to the network of learndirect centres across England.

Hilary went on: ìIt was the first time weíve held a conference which has dealt with this issue ñ but itís definitely an important area which we need to focus on in the future.î