University granted funding for free skills sessions

LEEDS Metropolitan University has secured £68,500 of Government funding to deliver free skills sessions to people hit by the economic downturn.

Free sessions are being offered in community rugby clubs in web design, business, events management, health and sport. The next sessions will take place in Keighley and Wakefield from February 1 to 4.

The skills seminars are part of the Learn with Leeds Met project running throughout February. Workshops will be delivered at eight rugby clubs across the region including Hull FC, Hull KR, York City Knights, Wakefield Wildcats, Keighley Cougars, Leeds Rhinos in Headingley, Thornhill Trojans and Featherstone Rovers.

Leeds Metropolitan’s pro-vice-chancellor Sally Brown said: “Leeds Metropolitan is delighted to be involved in this innovative project to offer informal learning opportunities to people who might not normally encounter university learning.

“It’s great being able to use rugby league stadiums as the venues because this means people can study in familiar places close to home with bite-size chances  to develop new skills.”

The funding is part of a ‘learning for pleasure’ innovation spearheaded by the government’s Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) – part of the £20m Transformation Fund launched by government to offer funding for innovative and informal adult learning projects.

For further information contact Karli Wilkinson on 07826 876637 or email Learn@leedsmet.ac.uk.