news from Thenue Housing & Glasgow Kelvin College

A PIONEERING partnership between a housing association and a college to help the unemployed learn new skills and improve their job prospects has celebrated another milestone.

Seven long-term unemployed people from the east end of Glasgow this week completed their studies at Glasgow Kelvin College in what is the NINTH time the course has run.

And they gave the pioneering “Learning Works” course an overwhelming thumbs up as they marked their achievement at a “Celebration of Learning” event at the College’s east end campus.

Learning Works is a joint project between Thenue Housing and the College.

The free course is aimed at unemployed people in the area of the east end served by the regeneration agency Clyde Gateway and includes computer skills, health and wellbeing, personal development, communications, numeracy and literacy. A tenth intake of students has just got under way.

Almost a year ago it was announced that an additional £445,000 was secured from Big Lottery Fund Scotland to allow Learning Works to continue. This is over and above existing funding of £130,000 from Clyde Gateway, £125,000 from the Scottish Government and £10,000 from NHS Scotland.

Learning Works has been a remarkable success with around 100 people from the east end participating since its launch in February 2012.

Craig Green, Head of Community and Information Services at Glasgow Kelvin College, said: “We are delighted to once again help recognise the achievements of the students on this hugely worthwhile programme. The success of the ‘Learning Works’ groups underscores the value of partnership working and we are privileged to be part of this.

“The crucial role of community –based learning in addressing access problems is highlighted by the continuing success of the programme and congratulations go to all the learners who are here this evening, as well as to the staff who have supported them on their journey. Our thanks go out to Thenue Housing Association for their continued trust and confidence and we look forward to continuing our partnership in the future.”

Addressing the successful students at the Celebration of Learning event, Lawrence McCabe of Thenue Housing thanked the funders of the initiative without whom the course would not be possible.

Lawrence said: “We are very grateful for the ongoing financial support which helps us deliver this important project which is making a real difference to people’s lives.”

“It is tackling unemployment in the east end and giving people the chance of a brighter future. We also greatly value the partnership we have with Glasgow Kelvin College.”