Bethan Jenkins AC/AM South Wales West

Bethan at the launch of the Pontrhydyfen scheme

PONTRHYDYFEN residents are one of the first across Wales to access learndirect courses in order to increase their skills for the 21^st Century in their local Communities First centre.

This new scheme has been developed in partnership with Communities First Pelenna, Neath Port Talbot College and Wales’ largest e-learning provider, learndirect.  The scheme was officially launched by Bethan Jenkins AM and will now offer adults of all ages the ability to get online and reap the benefits of the internet.

Andrew Jones, Neath Port Talbot College’s learndirect manager said: “learndirect’s flexible bite sized courses are ideal for more mature individuals who want to gain more IT skills but do not have the confidence or time to go to formal classes.  We’re reaching out in the community to break down the barriers to learning.  We are already in a number of libraries across Neath Port Talbot and hopefully soon we will be in a number of Community First Centres.”

AM Bethan Jenkins said that IT skills are essential for all ages and vital for employability and social inclusion: “Local partnerships such as these are the only way that we are going to engage with residents and break down the barriers to lifelong learning.  Community venues have a very important part to play in ensuring that our older citizens are included in technology and that our working population are able to access skills and training to improve their employability.”

Lenard Trott is a retired doctor who is now gaining essential IT skills for the 21^st Century in the same building that was formerly his doctor’s surgery. “I retired 15 years ago and didn’t need to utilise technology during my working life.  I now have the time to discover the benefits and when you live in a small village like Pontrhydyfen, the internet allows you to feel less isolated, especially as you get older. I now search for trains, buy train tickets and email my family regularly”, says Dr Trott.

Pelenna’s Communities Development Officer Sarah Maggs said: “We have a responsibility to support the local community and ensure that our residents are able to access the services that they need.  Skills and training is just one area and we are delighted to be able to offer on-site learning facilities in an area that has until now been deprived of learning opportunities. Residents of all ages can now come in to learn all about computers and the internet”.

The Neath Port Talbot College-led partnership is being piloted within Pontrydyfen and will soon expand to Tonmawr which is also part of Communities First Pelenna.

If you want to learn new skills in maths, English and IT, or just brush up on the skills you already have, then come into the centre based at Pontrhydyfen Community Centre.   Drop in sessions with a designated tutor are held every Wednesday from 1pm-3pm.   Please join us today and start gaining skills for the 21^st Century. 

For more information about learndirect skills and qualifications visit www.learndirect.co.uk or freephone 0800 101 901.