Changing lives with learning (From Gazette Series)

Changing lives with learning

RESIDENTS of Cam and Dursley are at the heart of plans to develop a learning community which will attract more businesses.

The scheme will develop the community as part of the government's skills strategy initiative which aims to draw firms to the area and to re-educate people.

Project manager for Cam and Dursley Jane Manning said: "People want to make changes to their lives but at the moment. There are few local learning and training opportunities to do that. The development of The Learning Community will involve individuals, businesses and community organisations working together to make the area a better place to live and work."

And she added: "The decline in local engineering, printing and upholstery industries has forced people to work away from the area and many have had problems finding jobs which bring in comparable wages."

People who have already made significant changes to their lives through learning at the GL11 Community Project, Dursley Education Centre, Rednock School and at work, will become learning champions to encourage their families, friends and neighbours to follow their lead.

Dursley learning champion Colin Warrington said: "They are talking about a new lease of life for the Lister Petter site, encouraging new businesses and employment. But, if local people don't have the skills these new businesses want, why would they come here?

"We need to be prepared to encourage more jobs into the area, to stop people having to travel miles to work every day and to put something back into the community."

For more information on supporting the development of The Learning Community, anyone interested can contact Jane Manning on 01453 548189 or 07816 381498.