| Learning Links - Centre of the Year 2009 |
| Written by Learning Links Europe |
| Monday, 22 June 2009 09:41 |
 Learndirect centres, support staff, learners and businesses across The North East are celebrating their successes after winning awards at the North East learndirect Achievement Awards Ceremony held at St James’ Park.
Learning Links Europe, from Newcastle, won the learndirect Centre of the Year Award sponsored by Becta. This award recognises centres where evidence of outstanding performance and customer care / tutor support has been provided to learners. The centre also used technology innovatively in order to provide supported e-learning to businesses or individuals.  Jane Williams, Executive Director for Further Education, Regeneration and Delivery at Becta, who sponsored the learndirect Centre of the Year Award said: “Becta is delighted to be involved in an award which so clearly rewards those organisations who use the benefits of technology to create a more exciting, rewarding and successful experience for learners of all ages and abilities, enabling them to achieve their potential. We offer our sincere congratulations to Learning Links Europe.”  The Area Manager, Steven Winterburn who received the award paid tribute to the entire team in Newcastle, explaining that without them all working as a team with one common goal of delivering a high quality experience to the learner across all aspects of the training this award would not have been won. Learning Links Europe will now represent the North East at the National Awards Ceremony in London in October.  The award was presented by Jerry Jackson from BBC’s Look North, who reiterated Steven by saying “The significant number of nominations that put this centre forward for the Centre of the Year award is testament to the dedication and hard work of all the staff who work there.”  Sheila Hussain, a Literacy tutor with Learning Links Europe, was Highly Commended in the Learner Support Award category. The award recognises how an individual staff member has provided outstanding customer care / tutor support for their learners.  Learning Links Europe were also finalists in the Working with Business category, and two learners from their centre in Newcastle were also finalists in the Learner of the Year category.  Sally McMahon, Ufi North East Regional Performance Director said: "The winners and Highly Commended finalists in the north east have shown exceptional determination, and have gone that extra mile to learn new skills and improve their qualifications or support others in doing the same; as well as encouraging their staff to learn new skills and improve their qualifications. The winners and highly commended finalists from the North East are an inspiration to millions of learners, support staff and businesses across England, and truly deserve recognition."  Learning Links Europe, Newcastle is situated in the West end of Newcastle just off Westgate Road, very near to the General Hospital; they aim to provide the regions people with access to learning in a comfortable environment to help them move into work. By identifying and tailoring courses for the individual they will develop learning opportunities by stretching and expanding their knowledge of society’s expectations and how they can fit into them. The centre is able to offer IAG sessions, Literacy and Numeracy up to level 2, personal effectiveness and personal wellbeing courses, employability courses, CLAIT, ECDL, CSCS card and 1st Aid Certificate. Learning Links Europe are also able to offer advice and guidance to those wishing to update their CV’s, interview preparation and help finding work placements or arranging interviews. For those in employment they also offer among other things, NVQ training and adult careers advice.  |