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Skills minister opens local Learning Shop

Bill Rammell, MP for Harlow and Minister of State at the at the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills, paid a visit last week to The Learning Shop2 – a new learndirect and UK online centre at the very heart of Harlow.

Bill Rammell officially opened the Westgate centre, and spent time with some of his constituents who’ve already been learning there.  He also met with Centre Manager Charles Montlake plus senior representatives from Ufi - the organisation behind learndirect and UK online centres - including Deputy Chief Executive Pablo Lloyd, and Managing Director of UK online centres Helen Milner.  

UK online centres help people get to grips with computers and take their first steps onto the internet, and learndirect centres help them move on to courses and qualifications in anything from IT (information technology) to maths and English.  With both under one roof at The Learning Shop2, local people are getting the best chance to make the most out of technology.  

Bill Rammell said:  “It was a real pleasure to open The Learning Shop2, and it shows just what people can do when they get a helping hand to learn new skills.  Technology really can open up new doors and new worlds, and the Learning Shop2 is helping connect local people to new opportunities, benefits, information and everyday conveniences.  

“I met people who had never even touched a computer before they went in, and who are now doing things like job searching, sharing pictures with family and friends, researching hobbies, filling in online forms or even taking computer qualifications.  Whether you just want to learn how to send me an email or want to get yourself a computer qualification, The Learning Shop2 is the place to go.  It’s a great resource for Harlow, and a great place to get going with technology.”

For Ufi, it was a chance to meet the Minister in charge of adult skills issues.  Deputy Chief Executive Pablo Lloyd explained:  “We were delighted the Minister could come along and see for himself what happens in a learndirect and a UK online centre.  IT skills are fast becoming a necessity rather than a luxury – it’s now a third ‘basic skill’ after maths and English.  The nation-wide network of learndirect and UK online centres has already helped millions of people gain new skills, and the Minister met some of them today.”  

Helen Milner, Managing Director of UK online centres added:  “It’s often those with most to gain from technology who have the least access to it.  If you’ve not got a computer at home, or if you’re not confident enough to use it – even if you just need to update your skills - places like The Learning Shop2 can help.  There’s still a staggering third of the adults in this country who don’t use the internet - we’ve got to bridge the ‘digital divide’ so everyone gets the chance to keep learning, and keep up with the times.”

Manager Charles Montlake had the final word.  He said:  “It was a great privilege for The The Learning Shop2 to be officially opened by Bill Rammell – as both our MP and as Minister for Skills.  We got to show not just what we do here in Harlow, but what centres like this do for people around the country who are on the wrong side of the digital divide, or lack the skills, confidence or qualifications to achieve their personal and professional goals.  At our centres in Slacksbury Hatch and High Wicombe we’ve already helped hundreds of people get the most out of technology, and use it to get the most out of their lives.  This new centre will allow us to help even more people, right across Harlow.

“If you’re interested in giving computers and the internet a go, brushing up on your IT skills, maths or English, you should pop in and pay us a visit.  Alternatively you can just give us a ring on 01279 414158 and have a chat to one of our tutors.”

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For more information on this press release, please contact Abi Stevens on 0778 666 0689.

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