Community Learning: it’s never too late to learn
Community learning involves all forms of learning outside of initial education and training. People in Merthyr participate in a wide range of activities for a number of reasons, whether for pleasure, personal or work development, or survival.
The benefits of community learning are numerous- health, employment, active citizenship, and pride, to name a few. It contributes to social justice, sustainability, combating social exclusion and making best use of resources. Not only does adult and community learning help make for more efficient workers and better-informed and more active citizens, it also contributes to personal well-being.
Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council has a significant role to play in contributing to effective provision - we aim to get it right in terms of place, time, price, content, style of delivery and support. We work closely with other organisations and partners to encourage lifelong learning, to ‘unlock your potential’ and to meet the needs of learners and communities. We’re also making sure that you can progress from an introductory level to – the sky’s the limit!
Community learning offers opportunities to help get you into employment, or learn new skills in subjects such as languages, arts and crafts, outdoor activities and vocational areas including woodworking, plastering and bricklaying, retail, ceramics, and hair and beauty.
The Adult Community Learning Service (often called Community Education or Adult Education) offers taster sessions and courses which help people get out, have fun, and learn new skills. We can offer courses in any number of subjects if there’s enough interest. And you can get credit for what you’ve learned. Courses are held in about 25 different locations across Merthyr, including several computer suites.
The European funded Neighbourhood Learning Project is now operating across Merthyr, with links to other training providers, Communities First and employers. The employability programme provides opportunities to get into work, and the Bridges to Work and Learning Pathways programmes for young people use the Neighbourhood Learning Centre as a base to learn new skills.
The Bridges to Work Programme is designed to build bridges from disaffection through personal development and into employment. Aimed primarily at young people, the project has been really successful as people get work placements, go on to college, and land jobs.
For further information please contact:
| Adult Education Co-ordinator |
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 Tel: 01685 727379
| Neighbourhood Learning Project |
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Tel: 01685 727099
| Bridges to Work Co-ordinator |
| Tel: 01685 7093 | | |