Learning centres for the homeless

Citation

(2001), "Learning centres for the homeless", Education + Training, Vol. 43 No. 1. https://doi.org/10.1108/et.2001.00443aab.010

Learning centres for the homeless

Learning centres for the homeless

Keywords: Learning, Unemployment

The Department for Education and Employment has awarded £6.5 million for e-business services company ICL and the Foyer Foundation to introduce 49 high-technology learning centres in existing Foyers which offer accommodation for the homeless. The money is part of the Government's UKonline initiative. ICL will provide the learning centres with Internet access, the technology to create digital music and applications for people using English as a second language. The communications company ntl will provide the telecommunications infrastructure. Mark Gibson, of the Foyer Federation, commented: "The programme enables Foyers and ICL to pool their considerable expertise in community learning. It offers a route back into learning and on into employment and independent living. The centres are expected to benefit more than 40,000 users in the first three years".

The Government is investing £252 million of capital funding and £77.5 million from the New Opportunities Fund into community learning, which involves the development of 6,000 learning centres in England's inner cities by 2002. The award to ICL and the Foyer Foundation is the first phase of the programme.