First UfI learning centres open

Citation

(2000), "First UfI learning centres open", Education + Training, Vol. 42 No. 1. https://doi.org/10.1108/et.2000.00442aab.002

First UfI learning centres open

First UfI learning centres open

Keywords: Learning, Continuing education

"learndirect" is the name for the University for Industry's network of learning centres which are part of a new approach to the delivery of flexible learning. Sixty-eight centres have been opened in the UK. They are in friendly, easy access locations such as sports and shopping centres, football and rugby clubs, community centres, churches, railway stations and libraries. Some centres are based with employers. UfI "learndirect" centres will follow in Wales and Northern Ireland. The Scottish UfI will be a parallel but distinct organisation for Scotland.

Learning Direct, the national learning information helpline (0800 100 900) will change its name to "learndirect" as part of UfI's national campaign to market lifelong learning. The UfI hope the name "learndirect" and the network of centres will give learning a powerful presence on the high street and in the consumer marketplace and help drive up the demand for learning.

Learners using the development centres will be able to choose from a trial range of 24 on-line courses covering information technology, and business and management skills. These courses provide in total almost 100 "bite-sized chunks" of learning, which people can try out at a pace and at times which suit them best. All the courses on offer will attract funding from the Further Education Funding Council which has made £4 million available to support learners using "learndirect" centres in 1999-2000 and a further £20 million for the following year. UfI will be gathering feedback during a pilot phase in order to develop its initial range of learning materials ready for full operation in Autumn 2000.