Learning works 9th course ends with Celebration of Learning

A trail-blazing course, developed by Thenue Housing Association and Glasgow Kelvin College to help the unemployed learn new skills and improve their job prospects, has celebrated another milestone.

Nine 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 project an overwhelming thumbs up as they marked their achievement at a “Celebration of Learning” event at the College’s east end campus.

The “Learning Works” initiative 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. An eighth intake of students has just got under way.

Earlier this year, 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 £130,000 from Clyde Gateway, £125,000 from the Scottish Government and £10,000 from NHS Scotland.

Learning Works has been a huge success with nearly 90 people from the east end participating since its launch in February 2012.

Presenting their certificates, Alan Inglis, Vice Principal – Learning and Teaching at Glasgow Kelvin College, said: “We are delighted to once again host the ceremony recognising 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.

“Congratulations go to all the learners who are here this evening, and to the staff who have supported them on this 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.”

Charles Turner, Chief Executive of Thenue said the course was only made possible by the generosity of the funders and that the pledging of the additional cash from Big Lottery Scotland had secured Learning Works future until 2017.

He added: “The partnership we have with Glasgow Kelvin College reflects our commitment to helping people who live in the local community. Learning Works is an award winning project whose success has been widely recognised. As a housing association we are deeply committed to doing our bit to helping others and Learning Works is a shining example of that.”