Press Release
8th May 2000
Learning Direct – The Lifelong Learning Revolution Gets Underway
MSP for Greenock & Inverclyde, Duncan McNeil, has hailed today’s launch of "Learndirect Scotland" as "the dawning of Scotland’s Lifelong Learning Revolution."
"Learndirect Scotland" is the brand name for the new Scottish University for Industry (SUfI) and will spearhead the drive to provide lifelong learning for everyone in Scotland, Mr McNeil said today.
Welcoming the announcement, Mr McNeil said:
"Learndirect Scotland is the most exciting and radical learning development in post-war Scotland.
"Throughout my professional and political career, the issue of widening access to workplace learning and training has been one of my top priorities.
"If we in Inverclyde want our regeneration to continue, we must develop the skills and capabilities that are essential in today’s fast changing workplace.
"At the meeting of the Enterprise and Lifelong Learning Committee on Wednesday, we will be discussing Learndirect Scotland. I am looking forward to quizzing Susan Pinder, Director of Learning at the Scottish University for Industry, over the plans and their vision for the future of lifelong learning.
"Skills are a passport to better, more rewarding and more secure employment. I would urge everyone who can take advantage of this scheme to do so."
Mr McNeil then proceeded to underline why he sees this announcement as having great significance:
"From autumn this year, every single person in Scotland will be able to access a comprehensive, one-stop source of information on post-school training, skills and education, through the new Learndirect Scotland help line or web site.
"They will also be able to do this face to face through a national network of Learndirect Scotland accredited learning centres based everywhere from libraries, work-places and football clubs to community centres. For example, this will enable the person working on the shop floor to learn new IT skills, the plumber to learn business management, the retired person to take a car maintenance course and the unemployed person to learn new skills and improve their job prospects.
"A massive new database of 60,000 learning opportunities, from basic skills such as numeracy and IT to masters degrees and continuing development for professionals will be accessible on-line through computer systems in the learning centres.
"This key information resource is currently being developed by the Scottish University for Industry in conjunction with local enterprise companies and learning providers throughout Scotland.
"Learndirect Scotland will revolutionise learning in this country. Everyone will be able to update or acquire new skills to improve their job prospects and quality of living.
"Today's job market is changing every day with the massive developments in information technology and the internet in particular. Very few jobs are for life any more and if we are to build a skilled, flexible workforce it is important they have easy access to opportunities to improve their skills.
"The Scottish Executive is committed to building a learning nation where education is for life and not just youth. I am pleased to make this announcement today and look forward to Learndirect Scotland becoming the focal point of lifelong learning in Scotland."
SUfI Chief Executive, Frank Pignatelli, has also welcomed the announcement, saying:
"We want to help and encourage individuals to take direct action to improve their own skills and employment prospects. Equally, we will work closely with businesses to enable them to develop their workforce and so enhance their competitiveness.
"Learndirect Scotland which clearly underlines the Executive's commitment to lifelong learning will help create a more user-friendly and customer driven learning market, by giving people direct access to the learning information, guidance and support they need to develop their own potential."
ENDS
Background Notes:
Learndirect Scotland will be the consumer brand name fronting the innovative range of lifelong learning opportunities and services brokered by SUfI and available through its partners in education, training, employment and enterprise.
The lifelong learning plans will be overseen by the Scottish Parliament’s Enterprise and Lifelong Learning Committee, of which Mr McNeil is a member.
SUfI is being established by the Scottish Executive to launch the Learndirect Scotland services, from autumn of this year. SUfI's core aims are to improve the employability and skills of Scotland's people, thereby boosting competitiveness and combating social exclusion.
Learndirect Scotland builds on the brand name developed by the separate University for Industry, in England, Wales and Northern Ireland (learndirect). Adopting a similar name provides major promotional opportunities in terms of UK-wide partnerships, for example with the BBC and will avoid any possible market confusion which might arise from cross-border marketing activity, such as advertising on national television or in the national press.
In addition to the new learning opportunities database, the Learndirect Scotland help line and web site will also provide a one stop point of contact for other major lifelong learning initiatives, like the innovative new system of Learning Accounts, through which the Executive will offer individuals assistance towards the cost of a very wide range of post-school education and training opportunities. For the first 100,000 accounts opened in Scotland the Executive will contribute £150 if the individual commits £25. Thereafter 20 per cent discounts will be available on most courses, with 80 per cent discounts on certain key courses such as basic computer literacy.
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