Posted: Thursday 16 September 2010

Partnership Learning: A Recipe for Success

A partnership between Kilmarnock College and the Focus Community Learning Centre in Saltcoats is proving that the ‘vision of lifelong learning for all' can become a reality.

Seven supported learning students from across Ayrshire recently completed their first accredited learning course at Kilmarnock College's campus in Saltcoats.

The students including: John Colvin, Colin Cooper, Robert Mauchlin, Stephen Faulkner, Gay Oliver, Jackie Linton and Bernadette Burns all passed two hospitality units at the College - Prepare and Cook Pasta and Prepare Hot and Cold Sandwiches, with a further pass in Using a Computer at Access Level 1.

Anne Boyce, Service Leader for Widening Access and Participation in the Community for Kilmarnock College, said: "This particular group of students have been studying various courses at the College for three years, however, this is the first accredited learning course they've done and this is a remarkable achievement for these students, so much so, that one of them has gone on to get a part-time job in the hospitality industry.

"The students were introduced to Kilmarnock College by Andy Gregory, who is a North Ayrshire council literacy support worker with the Focus Community Learning Centre. Andy had worked with these students for a while and believed that they could go on to do so much more.

"This achievement is a really good example of partnership working to offer lifelong education for all and proof that it really works. We're hopeful that the students will come back to the College and continue to learn to increase their employability status in the community even further."

Andy Gregory for the Focus Community Learning Centre, added: "I would just like to highlight what a fantastic job Kilmarnock College and indeed, Anne and her staff have done over the years for my learners. The individuals had the opportunity, through this partnership, to enhance their independent living skills through a varied range of courses provided by the College.

Through hard work and determination these learners completed their first ever accredited qualifications. This meant the world to them and the partnership proves that with the correct support and guidance, learning barriers can be overcome.
To see them step forward at the College to receive their certificates made me feel immensely proud and would not have been possible without the support of the staff at the Saltcoats Campus."

Anne Boyce added: "Kilmarnock College's campus in Saltcoats mainly offers community learning programmes including basic computer skills and the European Computer Driving Licence (ECDL) as well as courses that offer healthy cooking and hospitality classes. In addition to working with the Focus Community Learning Centre in Saltcoats, we have also run courses for Dirran's Centre in Kilwinning in the past. We would welcome all enquiries regarding education partnership opportunities."
For further information on community courses available at Kilmarnock College please call 01294 465499 or visit www.kilmarnock.ac.uk.

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For more information, contact:
Jacqui Donachy, Beattie Communications, 01698 787843/ jacqui.donachy@beattiegroup.com
Joanna Wilson, Beattie Communications, 01698 787847/ joanna.wilson@beattiegroup.com

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