Learndirect

Learndirect is a nationally recognised brand in the UK for learning and is the largest supplier of e-learning courses of its kind in the world.

The learndirect web site is at http://www.learndirect.co.uk

Learndirect delivers its unique range of educational training products through three business streams:

• learndirect careers advice offers free independent careers advice over the phone, online and by e-mail
• learndirect skills and qualifications has hundreds of centres with courses to improve your maths, English and IT skills
• learndirect business provides off-the-shelf and bespoke work-based e learning courses

Learndirect has been developed by Ufi (University for industry) with a remit from government to provide high quality post-16 learning which:

• Reaches those with few or no skills and qualifications who are unlikely to participate in traditional forms of learning;
• Equips people with the skills they need for employability, thereby strengthening the skills of the workforce and increasing productivity;
• Is delivered innovatively through the use of new technologies.

To achieve this, Ufi aims to inspire existing learners to develop their skills further, win over new and excluded learners and transform the accessibility of learning in everyday life and work.

Learndirect operates a network of more than 800 online learning centres in England and Wales, providing access to a range of e learning opportunities. learndirect's flexible learning is available to individual adults wanting to improve existing skills or to learn new ones, and to employers looking for an innovative way to develop the skills of their workforce. Since its launch in 2000 more than two million learners have enrolled on almost 4.5 million learndirect courses. learndirect offers around 500 different courses covering a range of subjects, including management, IT, Skills for Life and languages, at all levels. More than three quarters of the training courses are available online allowing people to learn wherever they have access to the internet - at home, at work or at a learndirect centre. To enquire about learndirect courses call the helpline on 0800 101 901.

Ufi also runs a government funded national learning advice service which offers impartial information, advice and guidance, either over the phone or via its website, on nearly one million courses from thousands of providers nationwide. Since its launch in 1998 it has taken more than eight million calls and there have been more than 20 million hits on the website.

Publications

This institution/programme was discussed as a case study in the Megatrends project in its second report, Megaproviders of e-learning in Europe (PDF - 212 pages - EN), 2007 (ISBN 978 82 562 88184). In this report, learndirect is listed as a public initiative by Ufi, which was set up by the government.

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