Fresh start to adult learning (From Richmond and Twickenham Times)

Fresh start to adult learning

11:51am Sunday 4th March 2007 in

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Adult education has been given a new lease of life thanks to a new resource centre on the Belvedere Estate, Feltham.

The Belvedere Resource Centre (BRC) has seen 20 people progress through its courses to become the first learners to gain their qualifications.

At a special event, Councillor Robert Kinghorn, executive member for education and children, congratulated the successful students and presented them with their certificates.

Hounslow Adult and Community Education Service (Hace) wants to make more residents aware of the learning centre on their doorstep, which offers a wide range of courses from information communication technology and English to confidence building and return to work.

Cllr Kinghorn said: "I am delighted to be able to congratulate the first graduates and I hope this is the first of many visits for me to help celebrate many more people's successes."

"The work Hace is doing here is fantastic - this centre is very welcoming and offers residents the chance to get involved with their friends in a fun, informal atmosphere and learn new skills.

"Centres like this are helping people overcome their worries about learning, and are making a tremendous difference to the lives of those who take part in the courses."

A recent survey by the Learning and Skills Council found that almost a third of adults regretted not getting better qualifications when they were younger and 27 per cent wish they had made more of the opportunities at school or college.

Cllr Kinghorn added: "By working closely with the community we hope to be able to help give people the opportunities they may have thought were lost to them forever.

"We are keen to get residents involved and hear the sort of courses they would like to do."

The main focus of the BRC is developing skills for life and return to work courses covering retail and skills for CV writing, interviews and job applications.

Potential future developments at the centre include first step courses in make up and beauty, nail art and manicure, employment and training information with Feltham Job Centre Plus and a sewing course at the request of the resident association's Somali support group.

There are adult information and advice sessions from 11am to 1pm on Mondays for people to drop in and talk to a learning advisor about what courses are on offer at the centre and elsewhere.

Classes run by Hace are mostly free or with concessions for those on means tested benefits.

For more information about adult education call 020 8583 6000.