Lifelong learning in Vale is granted a '£1m boost (From Barry And District News)

Lifelong learning in Vale is granted a '£1m boost

A MILLION pound plan to help Vale people gain new skills has been revealed.

The ELWa-backed scheme, called the Vale Learning Network, will enable people - as well as businesses and communities - to access new learning opportunities.

Chairman of the Vale Learning Network and principal at Barry College, Paul Halstead, said: "The funding will provide an important boost to lifelong learning in the Vale.

"Learning priorities in the area have been identified, and the project will allow us to address many of these - including training for basic skills, IT and Welsh for Adults.

"All the partners involved are working hard to provide learning opportunities in the area, and are keen to use the funding to develop the provision further.

"The project will help us increase participation in learning and increase the skills levels of local people."

The project is being funded through ELWa's Learning Challenge Fund and the European Social Fund.

So far 18 schemes across Wales have benefited from the 28.5 million Learning Challenge Fund, which is designed to provide specialist support for innovative ideas put together by partnerships of local organisations, to meet learning needs not covered by ELWa's mainstream programme.

The Vale Learning Network, run by the Vale of Glamorgan Vale CCET (Community Consortia for Education and Training), is made up of a partnership of representatives of all organisations with a stake in education and training, and provides the opportunity to contribute to the planning of learning in the area.