Adult education
Bedfordshire Adult & Community Learning have local offices located across the County and has a comprehensive Adult Learning Programme called ‘SPARK’ covering, Arts and Crafts, Literacy and Numeracy, Foreign Languages, IT, Lifestyle and Healthy Living and general interest. Providing learners and business’ with local access to learning needs support and advice on education training, skills for life, ESOL (English as a secondary or other language), learndirect, Family Learning and general interest activities ranging from acrilyic, through to Yoga and all in between.
The local offices provide course information and advice as well as the opportunity for enrolment in a wide range of learning opportunities.
Adult & Community Learning Services include:
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Personal Interest and Development - improving the quality of life and chances for disadvantaged and vulnerable adults and families, increasing cultural opportunities for Bedfordshire residents
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Workforce Development –learning opportunities that are responsive to the needs and the community and its employers, improving accessibility and equipping learners with the skills they need within the working environment of today
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Skills Development – Enabling our most disadvantaged and vulnerable adults to have the opportunity to lead independent and fulfilling lives by developing skills, gaining employment and supporting strong family units
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First Steps – develop literacy and numeracy skills via Skills for Life, or encourage family development and introduction into learning with a range of activity's to engage adults with children via Family Learning.
In 2007/08 over 7500 adults and families engaged in personal and community development learning through the Council's Adult and Community Learning Service. Learners without a level 2 qualification (equivalent to GCSE grade A-C) in English or maths were involved in Skills for Life programmes further leading to a formal qualification.