11.25 Local learning centres can help make education and training accessible to individuals and communities otherwise excluded by distance, transport, or cultural barriers. Like the community launderette, a local learning centre offers community access to facilities otherwise limited to the economically affluent private citizen, to enterprises, or to higher education. At it best, a local learning centre can offer access to Information Technology, including Personal computers with CD ROMs, access to the Internet and broadcasting, software, print materials, and access to a learning adviser. It offers, too, a context for learning at a distance convivially. Such centres are also central to the vision of the University of Industry. They should enrich the learning capacity of village halls in rural communities, develop the role of libraries and museums, and build on college learning resource centres. There will be centres in workplaces, church halls, and primary schools.
11.26 Government should encourage school governors and heads to make school premises available for lifelong learning purposes, as a priority when not in use for school educational activities. Government and other agencies should also consider how public and private finance could best support the development of a widespread and accessible network of local learning centres in other public buildings and workplaces. The University for Industry should broker a network of learning access points over the UK, using public and private spaces and exploiting public/private alliances and joint funding possibilities.
11.27 Steps should be taken to ensure that approved local learning centres are connected to, and supported by the National Grid for Learning. Funding bodies should require institutions which they support to increase access for learners by weekend and longer day opening. Small grants should be made available to local voluntary and community groups, to enhance network access points and to encourage those groups to use new technologies.
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