Keep learning shops open – Rogerson
The College has seen applications for adult courses at the shops fall after a Government cut in financial support to adult learning forced up fees. The Learning Shops provide support for City & Guilds courses in word processing, databases, spreadsheets, desktop publishing, as well as access to the “European Computer Driving Licence”, a widely recognised qualification for getting people back into work.
The Bodmin and Bude shops are set to close, leaving hundreds of adult learners without a local base to develop their skills.
Commenting, Mr Rogerson said:
“This could be a real blow a vulnerable group of people, doing their best to gain the skills they need for the modern workplace.
“The Government claims to recognise that Cornwall needs support to develop as a knowledge economy. Indeed, the European Union is investing in our area to give people the tools they need to get jobs in 2008. How appalling then that those efforts should be undermined by this move.
“I recognise that Cornwall College is in a difficult financial situation but I have written to them to ask that they reconsider their decision. I will also be seeking further clarification as to what the College mean when they say that people can enrol on the courses concerned with the Cornwall Adult Education Service.”
