WIREDGOV

Lifelong Learning UK is delighted to announce the publication of “College Voices”, a collection of truly inspirational stories, in association with The Guardian.

These remarkable portraits, painted by author Janet Murray and originally published in the education section of The Guardian, are a clear testament to the power of lifelong learning in general, and further education in particular, and their ability to be a catalyst for positive change in people’s lives.

The stories in the book illustrate what can only be described as the transformational quality of lifelong learning: given the right support, people from all paths of life find the strength to overcome adversity and difficulties and find the confidence to pursue education again.

Colleges clearly emerge in this book as a productive, supportive environment where people of very diverse backgrounds and abilities can find the motivation and encouragement to complete their studies and go back into their communities with much increased confidence and energy.

David Hunter, Chief Executive of Lifelong Learning UK, said: “People struggle to gain qualifications for a number of reasons during their life. But we firmly believe if they are provided with the right guidance and support, anyone can successfully get back into learning and quite literally transform their life.”

“Positive life change for learners is also a result of the quality and commitment of the workforce in the lifelong learning sector. Lifelong Learning UK’s mission is to support them in their continuous development to be effective in an increasingly challenging environment. We are committed to ensuring that the UK’s lifelong learning workforce is the best in the world.”

“College Voices” is out to day and available on Amazon.co.uk. Proceeds from the sale go to Skill, a national charity promoting opportunities for young people and adults with any kind of impairment in post-16 education, training and employment.

For further information, please contact:
Julie Fourcade/Redzi Mangwana - 3 Monkeys Communications
lluk@3-monkeys.co.uk 
020 7009 3100

Media Relations at Lifelong Learning UK
mediarelations@lluk.org 

Laura Vergani - Lifelong Learning UK
Lauravergani@lluk.org 
020 7936 5741

About Lifelong Learning UK

• Lifelong Learning UK is one of 25 Sector Skills Councils that make up the Skills for Business
Network - each one is an employer-led, independent organisation.

• Lifelong Learning UK aims to encourage teachers, trainers, librarians and other staff in postcompulsory education to gain new skills and qualifications so that they offer a better service to young people, adult learners, employers and the wider community

• Lifelong Learning UK also promotes lifelong learning as a career so that employers in the sector have less difficulty recruiting and retaining staff
• In addition to developing sector-wide occupational standards and qualifications frameworks,
Lifelong Learning UK also produces labour market intelligence so that lifelong learning employers can identify skills gaps and shortages among their own workforce.

• For more information please visit www.lluk.org