FURTHER EDUCATION MINISTER PRAISES RESULTS

30th June 2006

Minister of State for Lifelong Learning, Further and Higher Education, Bill Rammell MP praised the results at TBG Learning yesterday (29 June) on a visit to its centre in Brixton where he met learners and tutors. TBG Learning, an independent training company, is well recognised in the community and by local colleges for helping the most disadvantaged groups to improve their lives through learning. 80% of learners at the centre are from black and ethnic minority communities.

"I am really impressed with the breadth and range of learning provision at TBG Learning and I'm particularly impressed with the success and progression rates", said Minister of State for Lifelong Learning, Further and Higher Education, Bill Rammell MP.

Of the 3,000 people who enrolled on courses in the past twelve months, 80% achieved qualifications in areas such as Business Administration, ICT, English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL), Literacy, Numeracy and Electronics. Many began with little or no command of the English language, had never used a computer before and few or no recognised qualifications.

The Minister learnt first hand about TBG Learning's approach, combining expert teaching and a supportive environment with genuine individual care from tutors who guide each learner to new levels of personal achievement. TBG Learning's support includes careers guidance and advice on job search.

On a tour of the Centre the Minister met a wide number of tutors and learners including young people aged 16-18 on TBG Learning's successful Entry to Employment (e2e) programmes designed for hard to help and vulnerable young people who have not entered further education or found employment. He presented certificates to a small group who had recently achieved qualifications in English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL). These included Bernardo Sanches, aged 18 from Ecuador and now living in Brixton, who has completed the e2e programme and gained ESOL qualifications and will be starting a business course at Lambeth College this autumn. "I was very shy about going to college so TBG Learning has been perfect for me, most importantly in helping me to speak English and feel confident enough to start college", said Bernardo Sanches. Michael Habte, aged 18, came to the UK from Eritrea and lives in Stockwell. Michael achieved qualifications in ESOL and Numeracy as part of his e2e programme and has applied to do electronics at college. "When I came here I didn't know which way to go. My TBG Learning tutor explained everything, what I had to do and what the next step would be. I achieved ESOL qualifications and also my level 1 in numeracy which I needed to study electronics", said Michael Habe. Mebrahtu Teweldemedhn, age 17 from Peckham, came to the UK from Eritrea last year and is on the e2e programme. He has applied for the plumbing course at Lambeth College "When I came to the UK my level of English wasn't good. TBG has helped me get what I wanted and I've done keyboard skills, word processing and numeracy level 1 and 2. I'd like to thank my tutor who understands me and has given me a lot of advice", said Mebrahtu Teweldemedhn.

The Minister also met Saba Salamon, aged 21, born in Ethiopia and now living in Victoria, who's achieved an ESOL qualification as part of a programme called 'Reach Out' for 16-24 year olds, which was funded by the European Social Fund. Having improved her spoken English and grammar Saba is now attending numeracy classes and has got a place to study accountancy at Lambeth College in September. TBG Learning has succeeded in attracting 120 young people in the past twelve months onto e2e programmes through offering new choices such as Painting and Decorating, Sports Leadership, Construction and Nail Bar/Beauty. The programme is funded by Learning and Skills Council, London Central. For further information about TBG Learning call into the centre at 13-14 Ellerslie Square, Lyham Road SW2 5DZ or telephone 020 7274 4106.