26 June 2000

MINISTER LAUNCHES FREEPHONE LEARNING INFORMATION HELPLINE

Dr Sean Farren, Minister for Higher and Further Education, Training and Employment today officially launched the Northern Ireland arm of the learndirect learning information helpline, a UK-wide service which is free to all on 0800 100 900.

The helpline is a key element in the Department's Lifelong Learning agenda, which is seeking to increase participation in learning.

It brings together specialists from the Educational Guidance Service for Adults and the latest in call centre technology to offer speedy, impartial information and advice about over 9,000 local learning opportunities and over half a million across the UK.

Speaking at the launch in the Belfast offices of the helpline, the Minister said: "Easy access to good quality information about learning opportunities is the key to getting people engaged in learning. The learndirect helpline will have local knowledge, trained guidance staff, good IT support and excellent data. This means it can respond quickly to the needs of potential learners. Combined with other upcoming initiatives such as Individual Learning Accounts, the helpline will make sure everyone can easily avail of lifelong learning opportunities. The 'learning poor' have the chance to join the 'learning rich'."

Also speaking at the launch, Gareth Dent, Head of Learner Services for Ufi Ltd, the Department-backed lifelong learning initiative which is managing the UK-wide helpline operation said: "learndirect will help any would-be-learner find the course that suits them best. It will pinpoint the courses that are closest to them. And if there is nothing suitable in someone's local area, the helpline can search over 12,000 distance learning opportunities which can be used by anyone, anywhere."

The helpline is also set to play a key role in UK-wide marketing campaigns to be spearheaded by Ufi to promote lifelong learning. And it will be central to the operation of Individual Learning Accounts, acting as a one-stop information point about how and where people can use their Accounts.

Media enquiries contact:

Kevin Mulhern Press Office Tel 028 90257790 Mobile 0788 1550849

Further information about Ufi and learndirect - please contact Margaret Henderson at the Ufi press office (Inform Communications) on 028 90233550.

NOTES FOR EDITORS:

1. The 0800 100 900 learndirect Helpline is operated under contract to Ufi and has offices and teams of advisors in England, Scotland and Wales. The Northern Ireland arm of the helpline is operated in partnership between the Educational Guidance for Adults (EGSA) and BSS, Ufi's contractor in England.
2. Ufi Ltd it taking forward the UK government's concept of a university for industry. Through its nation-wide network of learndirect services, of which the helpline is a part, it aims to provide impartial information and advice to 2.5 million people a year by 2002 and create demand for up to a million courses and learning packages a year by 2003.
3. The establishment of the NI call centre has been facilitated by the Department as part of its commitment in the Lifelong Learning, A New Learning Culture for All action plan which aims to provide improved access to learning opportunities for the people of NI.
4. BSS (Broadcast Support Services) has been running telephone helpline services since 1975 and the learndirect Helpline since it first opened in 1998. It operates learndirect call centres in Manchester and Leicester.
5. EGSA, the Educational Guidance Service for Adults has more than 30 years experience of facilitating access to and progression in learning for adults by providing quality impartial information, advice and guidance for individuals and groups throughout NI.