Sussex Downs College Skills for Life
Dame Vera supports Sussex Downs College learners
Forces sweetheart Dame Vera Lynn gave her support to learners at the Cityclean’s Learning Centre in Hollingdean Road.
The council’s City Services thriving learning centre offers staff the chance to develop their learning and acquire new skills which will benefit them both in and outside work. Sussex Downs College has been helping support the learners by offering literacy classes as part of the Skills for Life programme. This year saw a record number of staff taking up learning opportunities with 110 enrolling on at least one course - an increase of 48% on the previous year.
The popular singer met with learners to find out about the range of courses on offer to Brighton & Hove City Council’s refuse, recycling, streets and parks staff and to congratulate those who had achieved qualifications this year.
Above: Dame Vera Lynn (centre) visits Cityclean's Learning Centre in Brighton
Staff were keen to tell Dame Vera Lynn about their experience. Martin has been working at the depot for 10 years, mostly on street cleansing, he said: “I struggle with reading and writing, I thought I could get by with no-one noticing, but there comes a time when you really do need these skills. Having completed my entry level, I am now hoping to move up to level 3 and continue with my learning.”
Another learner, Sean who has been at the depot since 1990 and works on recycling added: “By improving my English it has given me confidence across my whole life and I am now looking to improve my IT skills and knowledge as well. Being able to improve my writing and reading makes everyday tasks like looking at a timetable, writing a shopping list or writing a card so much easier.”
Popular courses include literacy, numeracy, ESOL (English for speakers of other languages) and computer skills (IT), while new courses, such as Polish, French and NVQs in waste management and team leading have also been well attended.
This year, the service expanded with a new learning centre for Cityparks staff opening at Stanmer Nurseries.
Find out more about Skills for Life
