About Community Learning and Skills
Cumbria Community Learning and Skills offers a wide range of courses for people at all levels and interests, both qualification and non qualification, in a broad range of subjects. These support the delivery of the Council Plan 2018 to 2022, and Skills Development priorities of Cumbria Local Enterprise Partnership and confirmed in the Education and Skills Funding Agency Funding and Performance Rules 2018/19. Cumbria Community Learning and Skills will provide a programme of courses based on the Six geographical areas of the County.
Strengthen and sustain the people and communities of Cumbria through the power of learning
Provide a high quality learning experience for all learners in all locations across all subjects
Provide a high quality programme relevant to local interests
We organise and deliver the majority of our provision through our Community Learning and Skills Centres and also work with a range of specialist sub-contracted providers. Between them they have around 150 outreach locations, so there should always be a course close at hand.
The programme in each geographical area will be designed to reflect local need and priorities based around
High quality local partnerships
High quality local research, consultation / feedback
and will be delivered by subject experts with appropriate teaching skills.
Courses offered are often supported through the government grant received through the Skills Funding Agency. However, increasingly those who can pay will be expected to pay course fees.
All courses will contribute to the objectives of New Challenges, New Chances.
Focusing public funds on people who are disadvantaged and least likely to participate
Collecting fee income from those who can afford to pay and using where possible to extend provision to those who cannot
Widening participation and transforming people's destinies by supporting progression relevant to personal circumstances, for example - increasing confidence and willingness to learn
Acquiring skills preparing for training, employment, self-employment
Improving digital, financial literacy and communication skills
Improving skills as parents/carers and ability to support children's learning
Improving health and wellbeing
Developing stronger communities with more self-sufficient, connected and pro-active citizens.
Community Learning and Skills has developed a range of partnerships with subcontracted providers to help achieve our strategic outcomes ensuring:
- People in Cumbria are healthy and safe.
- Places in Cumbria are well connected and thriving.
- The economy in Cumbria is growing and benefits everyone.
Cumbria is the second largest county in England with an area of approximately 2,500 square miles. This presents considerable challenges for delivery of a county-wide service. Many of our community-based subcontractors enable us to meet the demand for provision in geographic areas we cannot reach through our 6 area-based County Council Centres. This is especially relevant in areas affected by rural deprivation such as parts of Eden, Allerdale, and Copeland.
A number of our subcontractors are niche providers working with specific targeted groups of disadvantaged adults, such as adults who are unemployed or those who are disabled or are recovering from mental ill health.
We also work with a partner organisation which specialises in delivery of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) qualifications aimed at supporting local businesses in the West of Cumbria, Carlisle and South Lakes.
We will continue to develop partnerships with subcontracted partners to ensure we remain proactive in meeting the needs of the Cumbrian Community in providing a varied and relevant curriculum than can be accessed by all.
Supply Chain Fees Policy 2019/20 (PDF 141KB)