Following the closure of the Corus Steelworks, a new learning network was established for the five former counties of Gwent and this launch marks the opening of the first Learning Action Centre (LAC) for RISE in Monmouthshire.  Funded by the Welsh Assembly Government and Objective One, RISE aims to regenerate the communities of southeast Wales by providing easily accessible learning opportunities for adults of all ages.

In Monmouthshire, RISE will offer a range of courses, from basic skills level to degree standard, through 4 LACs and 22 Satellite centres and a mobile unit.  To address the needs of Monmouthshire’s diverse and often isolated rural communities, each LAC is located in one of the four main centres of population - Chepstow, Caldicot, Abergavenny and Monmouth and supports a number of Satellite Centres and a mobile unit to connect to rural outreach locations. 

Phil Cooke, Chair of the RISE Partnership Board and Corporate Director of Organisational Development for Monmouthshire County Council said he was confident that the RISE network would have a significant impact on education throughout the Five Counties.

“The RISE Partnership means that over 200 RISE centres are to be established across the Five Counties which will result in a wealth of learning opportunities for those adults who have become disengaged from learning,” he said.  “In Monmouthshire, we’re confident that with RISE we can build on the successes of other initiatives to connect to rural outreach locations, develop our involvement with workplace providers in the network and improve the overall learning environment to attract new learners.”

Part of RISE’s funding is committed to providing much-needed refurbishment for the existing learning centres.  Boverton House has received in the region of £300,000 from RISE and Vicky Brown, Manager of Boverton House and ‘Step Up’ Project Coordinator explains the benefits of becoming a RISE Learning Action Centre.

“Boverton House is the base for the ‘Step Up’ project, a project which aims to widen access to learning for disabled and disadvantaged people.  Becoming part of the RISE Network has meant that we’ve been able to transform the resources within the building – by converting the derelict attic space we now have 4 more rooms and can facilitate significantly more learners; we now have a disabled hoist which ensures that disabled learners have full access to all facilities and the building has had a complete face lift.”

Councillor Val Smith, Chairman of Monmouthshire Council, said that she was looking forward to launching RISE in Monmouthshire on 7th September.

“RISE is a significant initiative and its innovative approach to involving learners in their learning provision is to be commended.  The structures that RISE will implement across the counties will only serve to improve the quality and variety of learning opportunities.”

RISE Learning Advocate, Andrew Lewis added, “I think RISE is an excellent idea and a great opportunity for people to get involved in learning without having to enter a classroom.  RISE gives people a chance to get the skills they want in the way they want.”

1st September 2005