College takes on Council’s work based and adult & community learning service

Reporter: Rochdale Online
Date online: 18/05/2009

The Council's work based and adult & community learning contract will be delivered by Hopwood Hall College from 1 August.

College governors gave their formal approval for the transfer at a meeting on Saturday (16 May).

College Principal, Derek O’Toole, said: “I recommended the transfer to the college governors as there is a clear link between the college’s mission and the focus of the Learn Local contract. This will allow the creation of an integrated skills ladder for the Borough, operating from recreational classes up to university-level education and training. Employers will also benefit from the transfer with the work based learning contract being managed by ‘Orchard Training Solutions’ the college’s employer engagement arm.”

Staff from the college and the council are working together to ensure that Learn Local courses continue, and continue to be delivered in the community. The main objective is to ensure “business as usual”.

Course preparation and planning for the new academic year is already underway.

Publicity and marketing materials identifying which courses are to be run at which community venues are in the planning process.

The intention is to “roll forward” what ran this year in the first instance but the college will be looking to ensure that what it offers through the community venues are viable and of a high quality. Learners will also benefit from access to additional learning resources as they will become full members of the college.

To smooth the transfer of staff, the council’s personnel department is working closely with the college’s personnel department to ensure this happens in time for 1 August.

To meet and greet its new colleagues, a series of welcome meetings are in the process of being finalised.

The first visible example of the new partnership working is at the adult “Skills and Learning Fair” held at the Rochdale Town Hall tomorrow (Tuesday 19 May) where all aspects of adult learning available in the borough are displayed.