This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
Listen
Deaf Connections
09/07/2003
The learning offered by a Glasgow centre for the deaf
was recognised with a stamp of quality today.
'Deaf Connections' in the city's Norfolk Street became a
learndirect scotland branded learning centre - a
mark of its excellence in services to the community.
Making the award, Deputy Minister for Enterprise and
Lifelong Learning, Lewis Macdonald, said:
"
learndirect scotland was established to promote
learning in new and accessible ways, and to break down
barriers where they existed.
"Deaf Connections now becomes the 400
th branded learning centre in Scotland, and it
is a fitting achievement. It has a proud history of
reaching out to meet the changing needs of the community
since the early 19
th century.
"These centres vary in location and approach across the
country, but they share a common aim and purpose - putting
the needs of learners first."
learndirect scotland chairman, Christine Lenihan,
said: "I am delighted that Deaf Connections is the 400th
centre to become part of the new national learning centre
network. These facilities - in community centres,
libraries, shopping centres and workplaces throughout the
country - are helping to break down age-old barriers to
learning.
Gordon Chapman, chief executive of Deaf Connections,
said: "Deaf Connections has always aimed to provide support
that encompasses the emotional, social, vocational and
educational requirements of the Deaf and hard of hearing
community we support.
"Achieving
learndirect scotland status is a further extension
of this, where our IT classes, sign language, numeracy and
literacy courses aim to provide individuals with both the
skills and confidence to engage in the workplace."
Earlier in the day, Mr Macdonald toured the Braehead
Shopping Centre, the largest privately-funded waterside
regeneration project in the country.
He said:
"Braehead has been a major success story, and shows how
important an efficient, competitive and innovative retail
sector is to the economy - both local and national.
"It has established itself as a top retail and leisure
attraction and has kick-started the regeneration of the
Renfrew Riverside."
learndirect scotland (
www.learndirectscotland.com) was established in 2000, and has supported an
estimated 140,000 learners. The Executive has invested over
£27m from 2000-2003.
It was set up to: drive demand for learning through
local and national marketing, provide easy access for
learners to undertake learning, provide a database of
learning opportunities, develop a network of branded
learning centres, and identify and commission learning to
fill gaps.