Pilands Wood learndirect and UK online centre praised by MP

12.00.00am UTC (GMT +0000) Tue 13th Dec 2005

"This is a great way for people to boost their skills".

Local MP Chris Huhne met UK online centre users and learndirect learners at the Pilands Wood Community Centre on a visit last Friday (9th).

Member of Parliament for Eastleigh, Chris heard how the learndirect and UK online centre has helped local people change their lives for the better. He also discussed key community learning and skills issues with centre manager Barbara Corcoran, and Sarah Bridges, South East Regional Skills Manager at Ufi, the company behind the national learndirect and UK online centre networks.

learndirect and UK online centres are a government-backed network supporting e-learning and e-services, aiming to further the vision of a learning society in which everyone, from whatever background, routinely expects to learn and upgrade their skills throughout life.

Chris Huhne said: "This is a great way for people to boost their skills, anything from English and maths through to computer skills in their own time. It is easy to fit around family and work commitments and has helped a lot of people."

The Pilands Wood Community Centre runs various nursery, leisure, youth, and health groups, and became a UK online centre three years ago, offering local people the chance to learn about and use computers. In 2005 it also became a learndirect link centre, offering courses in IT, business, maths and English. It is run as a learndirect centre through Eastleigh College, and offers a range of essential skills, geared towards individual needs.

Barbara Corcoran runs the centre for Eastleigh Borough Council and Eastleigh College. She said: "It's great our MP could come down and see what the centre has to offer. We aim to help people across Bursledon, Netley and Hamble increase their skills levels and their confidence, particularly those who might be finding it difficult to get back in to work, or to fit learning around the rest of their lives.

"By working with the community groups that meet at the centre, we're reaching people who might not otherwise have thought about sitting down at a computer or taking a course. Since it opened, hundreds of people have been through the centre to gain new skills or brush up on old ones, and seen what a difference it can make to their lives. Whether you want to get a promotion, fill out a job application or benefit form online, keep up with the kids or just keep your mind active, Pilands Wood learndirect and UK online centre can help."

Last year 500,000 people visited UK online centres across England, and in the South East alone more than 25,000 people took learndirect courses. Around 1,500 people in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight actually gained their first National Certificate in Literacy or Numeracy.

Sarah Bridges, Regional Skills Manager at Ufi South East concluded: "Access to learning and technology is key in improving not just individuals' prospects and prosperity, but in boosting the economic and social health of communities and the region as a whole. I'm delighted Chris was able to see the contribution Pilands Wood Community Centre is making to his constituency."

Those interested in finding out more about the Pilands Wood learndirect and UK online centre can call direct on 02380 405119.