This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Learning opportunities for Stornoway
23/04/2002
A high quality learning centre is helping to bring new
opportunities to the people of Lewis, backed by a £24,000 grant
from the Executive.
Lewis Macdonald, Deputy Minister for Enterprise, Transport
and Lifelong Learning today awarded Point 1 Ltd in Stornoway
official recognition as a
learndirect scotland branded learning centre at a
celebratory ceremony.
Point 1 Ltd is the latest addition to the national network
of
learndirect scotland branded learning centres
established across Scotland by the Scottish University for
Industry. The centre offers a wide range of learning
activities, including IT courses such as the popular European
Computer Driving Licence.
Learndirect scotland branded centres are a key
component of the Executive's flagship lifelong learning
service, and are bringing learning to the heart of communities
across Scotland.
Mr Macdonald said:
"I am delighted to be here today to officially recognise
Point 1 Ltd as a
learndirect scotland branded learning centre.
"We have invested heavily in learning centres because we are
determined to break down the barriers - social, physical and
geographical - which prevent people from taking up learning, We
are making real the promise that we will deliver learning
anytime, anywhere in order to create a Smart Successful
Scotland.
"Investment from the Executive has assisted Point 1 to make
state of the art learning facilities available for the people
of Lewis. We want people in every part of Scotland to be able
acquire new skills, improve their employment prospects and, in
doing so, strengthen local economies and communities. I am
delighted to have today the opportunity to see at first hand
the work which Point 1 is doing to help us achieve that
aim."
Mr Macdonald presented the plaque to Jean Staines of Point
1.
Ms Staines said,
"Thanks to the Scottish Executive, SUfI and Western Isles
Enterprise we are delighted to have a training centre which
must be one of the best in the country. In receiving this
plaque and
learndirect scotland status, we are pleased that our
efforts to provide quality learning in a friendly environment
have been recognised."
learndirect scotland is the brand name used by
Scottish UfI Ltd for its services aimed at streamlining access
to lifelong learning. Services include the freephone learning
helpline (0808 100 9000), the website
www.learndirectscotland.com, and the national network of branded learning centres
being established. The Executive has set
learndirect scotland a target of branding 300 learning
centres by March 2002. This was achieved in February 2002 and
313 centres have now been branded since
learndirect scotland was launched.
The Executive made £10 million available through the Capital
Modernisation Fund (CMF) for learning centre development over 2
years to 31 March 2002. Grants were available to develop new
learning centres and enhance and upgrade existing learning
centres to meet
learndirect scotland standards. Scottish UfI Ltd
administered the fund on behalf of the Executive.