THURROCK Thames Gateway Development Corporation and its partners have opened a new path to learning in the heart of Thurrock.
Thurrock Learning Shop, which is based at the former Post Office in Grays, offers a walk in service to meet staff who can provide wide-ranging and in depth information about careers, courses and routes back into education across the region.
Managed by the University of East London and partnered by Anglia Ruskin University, EEDA and Groundwork South Essex, the Learning Shop is open 9.30am to 5.00pm every Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, and offers details and guidance on a wide range of courses locally – both for pleasure and to gain qualifications, and higher education opportunities.
In addition, the Shop also offers careers advice, help with job searches, assistance with developing your CV, improving interview techniques and presentation skills as well as finding volunteering opportunities in the local area.
Staff at the Learning Shop will also be hosting a number of free weekend activity days on a wide range of topics ranging from a “Carbon Footprint Workshop” to “Be Your Own Boss – First Steps to Business” in the coming months.
Will McKee, chairman of the Thurrock Thames Gateway Development Corporation, commented: “A fundamental part of the remit of the Development Corporation is to create new jobs in the borough by attracting new businesses and encouraging existing organisations to flourish. In order to do that we need a workforce with the appropriate skill sets to meet the needs of business particularly as we move out of recession. The Learning Shop will enable us to signpost the pathways to the careers and skills development opportunities available to the public and to encourage and support Thurrock residents to follow their skills development ambitions in an accessible and optimal manner.”
Ray Wilkinson, Development Director at University of East London, said: “The University is committed to extending opportunity and access to education. This is a tremendous and very welcome initiative that will give us and our partners the opportunity to communicate directly with the community of Thurrock, enabling us to listen to their requirements for learning and deliver local, tailored, solutions.”
Cllr Garry Hague, Leader of Thurrock Council, added: “The Learning Shop will provide a valuable service to many of our residents, assisting us in our goal to improve employment and training opportunities in Thurrock, therefore helping more local people to find local jobs and pursue new career opportunities.”
The Learning Shop has been funded by the Thurrock Thames Gateway Development Corporation, East of England Development Agency and the University of East London.
