Going Back to Learning -
it’s never too late!

Pictured: Outside the HCP marquee at the end of Adult Learner’s Week are Tony Delaney (HCP), David O’Brien (Action for Jobs), Pauline McGlynn (Longview Learning Centre), Brian Cullen (KCR), Karen Lyle (Advice and Guidance Co-ordinator), Noreen Traynor (Development Worker), Tracy Perry (Advice and Guidance Worker) and Huyton Today reporter Shaun Robinson

Interested in getting back into work, training or education?

The Huyton Community Partnership and various other organisations are targeting adults in the area and encouraging them back into training and learning.

Adult Learner’'s Week was held in May and saw a series of special events being held throughout Huyton with the aim of raising awareness among residents of the many training and education opportunities that are available. The week culminated with KCR radio broadcasting live from the HCP Marquee on the Bluebell Estate. Also present were representatives from a number of agencies all working together to improve opportunities for adult learners.

Karen Lyle, Advice and Guidance Co-ordinator for HCP, explained, “Every year, for the past ten years, we’ve held Adult Learner's Week. It’s about encouraging adults to get back into learning. We provide jobs, education and training and we aim to help people overcome the barriers to learning whether that be a lack of confidence, childcare or poor resources. The Bluebell Estate is one of the areas from which we want to encourage more people to get involved with our initiative.”

Noreen Traynor is Development Worker for Knowsley Learning Partnership’s Learn Now Project. She is based in Kirby Community College and offers impartial advice to clients about employment and training opportunities. She first started working for KLP as a volunteer.

“There are several agencies working in Huyton to promote adult learning. The emphasis of Adult Learner's Week is on working in partnership and forming closer links between agencies in order to maximise our impact,” she explained.

Pauline McGlynn is one of the success stories of the Adult Learners initiative. When a vacancy for a receptionist arose she was encouraged, through the Adult Learner’s scheme, to go for the interview. She got the job and now goes into the Longview Learning Centre to inspire and encourage other clients.

“I am very grateful for the Adult Learner’s scheme. Without it, I would never have known about the vacancy,” said Pauline.

The local Jobcentre is also involved. The Action for Jobs programme aims to recruit clients and match them to particular jobs. David O' Brien from Action for Jobs, explained, “We offer a service to employers similar to a recruitment agency. For example, we provide work trials and may also pay the wages for a time. We aim to remove barriers to employment by giving incentives to employers to employ people. This provides opportunities for a wide range of people, including ex-offenders, to get back into the world of work.”

Anyone who is interested in becoming an adult learner is invited to contact John Evans at Longview Learning Centre, 56-58 Hillside Road, Huyton, L36 8BJ (Telephone 0151 443 0501).