Stoneleigh Community and Training Centre
Overview of the Centre
The Centre was officially opened November 2001 by the
Minister for Work, Nick Brown MP, and is a partnership between
Allerdale Borough Council, Derwent and Solway Housing Association
and Rathbone Training Ltd to develop a multi-use Job Preparation
and Community Resource Centre, aimed at re-engaging some of the
areas most disadvantaged residents into work and meaningful
activities. The direction and activities of the centre are
determined by a Community Trust, made up of representatives of the
target communities.
Derwent & Solway Housing Association
Derwent and Solway Housing
Association have located their Head Office at the Stoneleigh
centre. Most of their housing services are co-ordinated from here,
in addition to the local area offices, and it is also the point of
contact for general enquiries. If you need to contact Derwent and
Solway, the address and telephone numbers are:
Derwent & Solway Housing Association
Stoneleigh
Park End Road
Workington
Cumbria
Phone: (01900) 607500
Rathbone Training Centre
Rathbone Training, an established provider in West Cumbria
and already having an established centre in Distington, were chosen
to deliver the training programme at Stoneleigh. The training
provided at the Centre concentrates primarily on NVQ Levels 1 &
2 and targets skills where local job opportunities both present and
future are/will be available. The planning for the current range of
training programmes has identified a need for an emphasis on
building trades, such as bricklaying, and ICT skills.
Construction Workshop
The recognition of the
national shortage of skilled construction workers and the
forthcoming local employment opportunities from the Workington town
centre redevelopment, has resulted in the Stoneleigh Centre having
has its own purpose-built construction workshop. The workshop
contains all the building materials necessary to allow students to
to plan and physically build their designs, thereby getting real
hands-on construction experience, which will put them in good stead
when seeking employment. Tutor John Williamson says: "we train all
age groups in construction skills, such as Trowel Occupations Level
1/2 and Bricklaying Level 2 NVQ. We have an open door policy
towards learners and all age groups are welcome".
Information Technology Suite
With information
technology identified as one of the growing employment sectors,
combined with the current national shortage of skilled workers,
Rathbones have identified this as a key training opportunity.
Consequently, Stoneleigh is equipped with a state-of-the-art
computer suite, which allows clients to familiarise themselves with
all the latest hardware and software. Tutor Lesley Hilland says:
"we use the suite for Information Technology NVQ Level1/2 training,
Key Skills sessions and adult learning courses. We're also hoping
soon to run the ECDL (European Computer Driving License), which is
a European wide recognised computer literacy qualification".
Key Skills Training
The
Government is committed to the concept that all young people,
whether in education or training post-16, should be given a solid
basis in the key skills of communication, application of numbers
and IT. This is essential if they are to compete effectively in the
labour markets of the 21st century. All programmes of education and
training should include the opportunity to improve key skills in
these areas. The Stoneleigh Centre provides Key Skills training for
clients studying construction and IT, as mentioned previously, and
also in administration and care.