LEP WELCOMES WORKPLACE LEARNING INITIATIVE
News release
23rd May 2012
The role of Lincolnshire’s new Workplace Learning Advocates will be celebrated at a special event at Bishop Grosseteste University College Lincoln tomorrow evening (24th May).
Councillor Eddy Poll, Deputy Leader of Lincolnshire County Council, will present certificates to the ten Lincolnshire Workplace Learning Advocates who have joined the scheme in the past year.
All ten studied for and passed the two-day Open College Network certificate in Information and Advice course.
Workplace Learning Advocates are employees who encourage formal and informal learning at work. The idea came from the Employment and Skills Board of Lincolnshire and Rutland, which piloted informal learning in workplaces last year to improve the skills of employees and support business growth.
Based on the success of the pilot funding was secured to develop a new national role of Workplace Learning Advocate. Subsequent funding from the Department of Business, Innovation and Skills is now allowing the Workplace Learning Advocates scheme to be extended across the UK.
The Skills Minister John Hayes MP commented: “Workplace Learning Advocates play a vitally important role. Their work gets to the heart of local economies, driving the productivity and growth that will help communities flourish.”
Ursula Lidbetter MBE, Chair of the Greater Lincolnshire Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP), welcomed the the initiative and applauded the first cohort of Workplace Learning Advocates.
“This scheme is a great way to promote workplace learning and to ensure that we have the most highly skilled workforce we can possibly have,” she said.
“As a Local Enterprise Partnership one of our key priorities is to improve the skills of Greater Lincolnshire’s workforce and those about to enter it, and to enhance their employability.
“This pioneering project takes learning and skills right into the heart of the workplace and we’re pleased to congratulate all those who have contributed in the scheme’s first year.”
Thursday’s event will feature presentations by Oakham-based plastics company RPC Group and the Lincolnshire Co-operative, who are both involved in the Workplace Learning Advocates scheme.
It is being organised by the Lincolnshire & Rutland Employment and Skills Board and will be held at BG Futures, the new business and incubation centre at Bishop Grosseteste University College Lincoln, from 5pm until 7pm.
Notes to Editors
The Workplace Learning Advisors who will receive certificates are:
- Kevin Doney, Forum Packaging, Horncastle
- Martin Pagram, Forum Packaging, Horncastle
- Joanne Topley, Forum Packaging, Horncastle
- Adam Ellwood, Gelder Group, Sturton-by-Stow
- Louisa Sharpe, Gelder Group, Sturton-by-Stow
- Kerry Everington, Lincolnshire Co-operative
- Ann Foukes, Lincolnshire Co-operative
- Fran Lovely, Mortons of Horncastle
- Jayne Stevens, Mortons of Horncastle
- Kerry Stables, Longhurst Group, Boston
About Workplace Learning Advocates
Workplace Learning Advocates (WLAs) are employees who are trained to support, inform and encourage others to participate in informal and formal learning.
Regional networks have been established in the North-East, North-West and London and the South-East working with employers, colleges, the Confederation of British Industry, Chambers of Commerce, local authorities, unionlearn, trades unions, Community Learning Champions, third sector organisations and government agencies.
After just over six months there are 80 WLAs nationally from 45 companies. Twenty-two of these 80 come from Lincolnshire and Rutland.
For more information visit www.workplacelearningadvocates.org.uk
About the Greater Lincolnshire LEP
The Greater Lincolnshire Local Enterprise Partnership is a new body led by the private sector which aims to improve conditions for infrastructure and doing business in the Greater Lincolnshire area.
One of the first LEPs to be established in the UK, the Greater Lincolnshire LEP covers a large geographical area with a population of over one million and a diverse range of industries, from ports and logistics to farming, tourism and engineering.
It includes North and North-East Lincolnshire and is controlled by a LEP board made up of leading figures in the public and private sector.
For more information about the Greater Lincolnshire LEP please contact Ruth Carver or Carolyn Tuscher at the LEP Secretariat on 01522 550515, or visit www.greaterlincolnshirelep.co.uk
Jez Ashberry
Shooting Star PR
01522 528540
jez@shootingstar-pr.co.uk
www.shootingstar-pr.co.uk
t: @jezashberry
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