Information Bulletin
15 August 2006
Sign up now for 2006-7 Evening class programme
The SIC’s Adult Learning Service is once again teaming up with Shetland College to offer a programme of around 200 adult learning classes for 2006/7. The new Evening Class booklet has just been mailed out to every household in Shetland.
The programme’s organisers are keen for everyone to be able to access community-based classes and have increased the range of venues this year. For the first time in years classes are offered in Fair Isle, Levenwick, Fetlar, Walls and Cullivoe.
The range of subjects has been extended in response to requests from learners. New classes include: bannock making, music technology, poetry for pleasure, dynamic drawing and a yoga class especially for men. This programme has something for everyone from drumming to dialect, from Spanish to salsa dancing, from dog training to bobbin lace.
There are also opportunities to gain a qualification. You can sign up for a Communications or a Numeracy qualification, as well as a range of Higher and Intermediate qualifications from Care to Philosophy or Psychology, from the European Computer Driving Licence to a BHS Certificate for Horse Owners.
Many Shetlanders value and enjoy taking part in adult learning classes, and many folk sign up to classes each year. While Adult Learning is keen to support avid learners, it is also keen to encourage and support folk to get involved. It’s great to learn new skills and take part in activities locally with like-minded folk. As one south mainland learner put it: “ I thought I was signing up for a few weeks at a computer class, but I’ve discovered I’m here for life”. He had caught the learning bug.
Another learner who is signed up to lifelong learning is Alistair Geldard who wanted to improve his number skills for his work and personal life. After a lot of hard work, he recently gained his Intermediate I Numeracy Qualification supported by an Adult Learning Volunteer Tutor, Steve Benn.
"I feel this has helped me a lot at work. Now I'd like to move on to learning more about computers"
If you have skills you could pass on to other adults, then Adult Learning is now recruiting volunteers to help adults improve their literacy and numeracy and to learn English as an additional language. The service also plans to recruit and train Computer buddies this autumn to support adults to get on the Internet, send e-mails and create simple documents. Telephone Carol on 743888 or drop in to the Old Library Centre if you are interested. Full training and support is given.
More than 1000 people took part in community-based classes with Adult Learning and Shetland College last year. Over 300 took part in classes to improve their writing, reading, number skills or learn English as a second language
Bookings are now being taken for classes all over Shetland. We would like to hear from you about anything we can do to improve the programme, so let us know if you have any thoughts. We are also keen to support people to take part in classes, so if you have a disability which could affect taking part, let us know and we will try to help you to take part.
Get in touch with Adult Learning at the Old Library Centre, Lower Hillhead, Lerwick (telephone 01595 743888).
- To sign up for classes
- To find out more about becoming a Volunteer Tutor or Computer Buddy
- If you haven’t received your copy of the Evening Class Booklet
- If you need more information, or support to take part in a class
Gie it a go – sign up now!
Ends.