Chester learning centre wins top national learning award
11/06/2009
The Learning and Enterprise Centre, based at the University of Chester, is celebrating its success today after winning an award at the national learndirect Achievement Awards Ceremony.
The Learning and Enterprise Centre, based at the University of Chester, is celebrating its success today after winning an award at the national learndirect Achievement Awards Ceremony.
The Learning and Enterprise Centre won the national Centre of the Year Award, sponsored by Becta, which recognises learndirect centres that have provided outstanding customer care and tutor support for their learners, and have used technology innovatively to provide supported e-learning to businesses and individuals.
The Learning and Enterprise Centre at the University of Chester is using technology innovatively to deliver learndirect training. Videoconferencing is its latest method of supporting learners, and Facebook is its latest marketing tool. The centre team has developed strong partnerships with the local business community and agencies in the region, with a focus on work-based learning and employment skills training. The centre is always improving access, aiming to help learners who have never had the opportunity to gain qualifications or achieve success through learning before.
On winning the national award, Sally Harding from the Learning and Enterprise Centre said: “We have a committed team who are all extremely enthusiastic about adult learning and its ability to empower our learning community. It’s a real privilege to win this award and an inspiration to witness how learndirect can transform lives.”
The learndirect Achievement Awards, now in their third year, celebrate learners who are going that extra mile to learn new skills, businesses whose employees are gaining new qualifications, and the people and centres supporting them. The Awards recognise people from all walks of life, for example learners who have overcome personal difficulties or have returned to learning after many years, and businesses working with learndirect to train their workforce.
The Learning and Enterprise Centre had previously won the Centre of the Year Award at the North West regional learndirect Achievement Awards in July.
TV presenter Eamonn Holmes, who presented the awards with his wife Ruth Langsford said: "Ruth and I are both delighted to support the learndirect Achievement Awards. We have worked with learndirect in the past to highlight the difference learning can make to people’s lives, and have seen first-hand how learners from across the UK are boosting their skills, improving their job prospects and becoming more confident. All the finalists are truly inspiring, and we were honoured to help celebrate their success at the national learndirect Achievement Awards ceremony.”
Chief Executive of learndirect, Sarah Jones said:
“The national winners and highly commended finalists have shown exceptional determination, and have gone that extra mile to learn new skills and improve their qualifications, or have supported others to achieve their goals. These finalists are an inspiration to millions of learners, support staff and businesses across England, Wales and Northern Ireland, and truly deserve recognition.”
Jane Williams, Executive Director for Further Education, Regeneration and Delivery at Becta, which is sponsoring the learndirect Centre of the Year Award said:
“Becta is delighted to be involved in an award which so clearly rewards those organisations who use the benefits of technology to create a more exciting, rewarding and successful experience for learners of all ages and abilities, enabling them to achieve their potential. We offer our sincere congratulations to all the winners.”