Community Learning

We are pleased to introduce you to Southern Regional College’s programme of recreational, vocational and applied courses for community-based learners. The College has won a number of awards for its community work. These awards recognise the College’s clear strategic commitment to communities and identifying learning needs.

Everyone needs to improve their skills throughout life so that they can obtain work, earn more, change jobs or achieve promotion. Adult and community education programmes provide an informal learning experience where you can study a range of courses at various levels to help you expand your skills and knowledge, prepare for a possible career change and gain a sense of personal achievement.

If you don’t feel confident in your ability to return to study, you can make the transition gently through short adult and community courses in a learner-centred, part-time environment. If you need to improve your English and numeracy skills, SRC have courses for all levels, from beginner to advanced. These can help you open doors to further study and work options.

Classes take place in relaxed and informal surroundings and are made up of adults of all ages. You will find that tutors are friendly and helpful, giving you individual attention. Whether it is formal education as a stepping stone back into the workforce or life balance leisure courses you are seeking, our programmes help you develop useful life skills for personal growth, work and life in the community.

Qualifications are more vital than ever. Our wide range of accredited courses provides an opportunity for you to study at a class near your home or work. Courses are set up in response to requests from community groups and can be facilitated at any time of the year. Many people missed out at school but can improve their prospects by gaining new skills now. SRC works with 100 community and voluntary groups covering over 1,500 square miles within the southern region, advising on courses available for adults within their community.

Our community development officers, tutors and careers officers are friendly and supportive – they will welcome and encourage you to take that first step. We will talk about where you are now and offer guidance on courses that could help you get that job, enjoy your leisure time or continue with lifelong learning. We offer a wide ranging and diverse portfolio of learning opportunities and support services that transforms lives through meaningful and enjoyable learning experiences.

Community learning has three main aims:

1. First Steps is about offering further education programmes in the community that seek to widen participation by encouraging individuals or groups who would not normally attend college back into education. Courses offered within communities are at level 3 or below.

2. Community Development is about working within communities to identify needs and provide opportunities which tackle inequality and support community development.

3. Social Inclusion aims to bring about social change by addressing economic inactivity and offering programmes linked closely to job creation.

The community team plays a key role in delivering the Department for the Economy’s 10x Strategy. We are focused on delivering the skills needed for the economy and work to help fight poverty and support social inclusion by providing those with low or no qualifications, or who have barriers to learning, with the skills and qualifications and additional support they need to find employment and to become economically active.

Our community strategy allows SRC to support diversity and social inclusion by widening and encouraging participation from the most deprived areas and ensuring access for those with low or no skills or other barriers to learning. SRC provides individuals with the skills and qualifications they need to gain employment and to become economically active, with all the benefits that this brings to individuals, the economy and society.

In partnership with the Department for Communities and the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, SRC has several programmes and initiatives to help combat problems identified in areas across the southern region. The College is currently running a range of new programmes aimed at tackling unemployment and social deprivation.

Our community development officers work with employers and community stakeholders to enable individuals, groups and communities to participate in learning at a time and place which is accessible for everyone. So, if you or someone you know would like more information on adult and community programmes and how they might help you, or for information on any of our funded programmes, please contact the community officers at your local SRC campus or visit www.src.ac.uk

Jim Cunningham

Development Officer - Banbridge & Craigavon

M: 077 1198 1732

E: cunninghamj@src.ac.uk

Lesley Hamilton

Development Officer - Newry, Mourne & Down

M: 078 4110 2846

E: hamiltonl@src.ac.uk

Gerard Houlahan

Development Officer – Armagh & South Armagh

M: 077 3633 6152

E: houlahang@src.ac.uk