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News archive New skills minister meets learners at London Learning Zone David Lammy, Skills Minister at the new Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills, paid a visit last week to Selby Learning Zone - a project from Tottenham education charity 'I Can Do It'. Along with commercial sister company 5E Ltd, 'I Can Do It' runs the Selby Learning Zone, which houses both a learndirect and UK online centre. The Minister - MP for Tottenham - chatted with learners at the centre and heard how using computers and getting onto the internet had helped people get into learning and improve their lives. He also met with Director of 'I Can Do It., Raj Doshi, plus senior representatives from Ufi - the organisation behind learndirect and UK online centres - including Strategic Development Director, David Sanderson, 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 Selby Learning Zone, local people are getting the best chance to make the most out of technology.
David Lammy said: "It was a real pleasure to meet staff and learners at the Selby Learning Zone, and it shows what you can achieve with training in new skills. I met people who had never even touched a computer before they went in, and who are now doing job searching, sharing pictures with family and friends, researching hobbies, filling in online forms or even taking computer qualifications like the European Computer Driving Licence. "Technology really can open up new doors and new worlds, and Selby Learning Zone is helping people get the skills they need to use it. I'm an IT enthusiast myself, and for me the internet and email are vital communications tools, helping me keep in touch with my constituents and vice versa. Whether you just want to learn how to send me an email at the UK online centre, or get a Level 2 Literacy qualification in the learndirect centre, Selby Learning Zone is a great place to start, and a great resource for the Tottenham community." For Ufi, it was a chance to meet the Minister in charge of the new Department which now leads on skills issues. Strategic Development Director David Sanderson 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: "The problem is that it's often those with most to gain from technology who have the least access to it. People can be excluded from the digital revolution for numerous reasons - by age, income, disability, education or attitude. We've got to bridge the 'digital divide' between the have-nets and the have-nots so everyone gets the chance to keep learning, and keep up with the times." Director Raj Doshi had the final word. He said: "It was a great privilege for Selby Learning Zone to host David Lammy's first ministerial visit to a learndirect or UK online centre. We were able not only to show him what we have to offer people in this area, but to showcase 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 or professional goals." For more information about Selby Learning Zone, call Ravi on 020 8352 8181 Ends For further information please contact Abi Stevens on 0778 666 0689. Notes to editors |
