This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Deaf Connections
09/07/2003
The learning offered by a Glasgow centre for the deaf was recognised with a stamp of quality today.
'Deaf Connections' in the city's Norfolk Street became a learndirect scotland branded learning centre - a mark of its excellence in services to the community.
Making the award, Deputy Minister for Enterprise and Lifelong Learning, Lewis Macdonald, said:
" learndirect scotland was established to promote learning in new and accessible ways, and to break down barriers where they existed.
"Deaf Connections now becomes the 400 th branded learning centre in Scotland, and it is a fitting achievement. It has a proud history of reaching out to meet the changing needs of the community since the early 19 th century.
"These centres vary in location and approach across the country, but they share a common aim and purpose - putting the needs of learners first."
learndirect scotland chairman, Christine Lenihan, said: "I am delighted that Deaf Connections is the 400th centre to become part of the new national learning centre network. These facilities - in community centres, libraries, shopping centres and workplaces throughout the country - are helping to break down age-old barriers to learning.
Gordon Chapman, chief executive of Deaf Connections, said: "Deaf Connections has always aimed to provide support that encompasses the emotional, social, vocational and educational requirements of the Deaf and hard of hearing community we support.
"Achieving learndirect scotland status is a further extension of this, where our IT classes, sign language, numeracy and literacy courses aim to provide individuals with both the skills and confidence to engage in the workplace."
Earlier in the day, Mr Macdonald toured the Braehead Shopping Centre, the largest privately-funded waterside regeneration project in the country.
He said:
"Braehead has been a major success story, and shows how important an efficient, competitive and innovative retail sector is to the economy - both local and national.
"It has established itself as a top retail and leisure attraction and has kick-started the regeneration of the Renfrew Riverside."
learndirect scotland ( www.learndirectscotland.com) was established in 2000, and has supported an estimated 140,000 learners. The Executive has invested over £27m from 2000-2003.
It was set up to: drive demand for learning through local and national marketing, provide easy access for learners to undertake learning, provide a database of learning opportunities, develop a network of branded learning centres, and identify and commission learning to fill gaps.