A new space for learners in Ealing has opened with a Eurovision-style live link up with similar venues from across the borough’s 7 towns.

The learning and skills hub was officially opened at Perceval House in Uxbridge Road on Wednesday (29 July).

At the event, the new hub connected live online with the learning zones in each of the 7 borough’s towns, demonstrating how education can be offered simultaneously in a series of venues, for learners attending either remotely or in person.

The hub was unveiled by council leader Peter Mason and Howard Dawber, deputy mayor of London for business and growth. It has been part-funded by an almost £680,000 grant from the Greater London Authority.

Supporting residents into work

Run by Learn Ealing, the council’s adult learning and skills service, the hub will provide a space to connect with employers, education providers, and community organisations, while also creating a pipeline for local businesses to help them grow and develop their workforce. Whether you are looking to learn new skills to push your career forward, build confidence or to find a new job; or are a local business looking for recruits, the new space will become a genuine hub of activity.

It will build on the borough’s learning zones, which have already helped hundreds of residents improve their skills and move into work. The first learning zone opened in Northolt in 2022, and there is now one in each of the borough’s 7 towns. Since launching, the learning zones have supported more than 1,000 residents and enabled learners to achieve 2,566 qualifications and training outcomes. From English, maths, and digital skills to English as a second language, employability support, family learning, and community activities, the zones has helped residents into further learning, employment and personal development.

You can find the new hub in the newly reopened ground floor atrium at Perceval House, which was reopened to the public earlier this summer. The space has been designed as a community venue where people can meet, learn, celebrate, and take part in a wide range of activities.

‘Unlocking potential’

Councillor Mason said: “This new learning and skills hub will help more local people gain the skills, confidence, and support they need to get good, well-paid jobs.

“By bringing together learning, employment support, employers, and training partners in one place, we are making it easier for residents to take their next step into work or develop their careers.

“The hub is another example of how Ealing Council is working to create opportunities for residents, to ensure everyone can share in the borough’s success.”

Learning for everyone

Learn Ealing’s new course prospectus is now available. It contains the full programme courses and workshops that experienced professional tutors will deliver over the new academic year.

The selection of courses include:

• English, ESOL, maths and digital
• family learning
• health and wellbeing
• creative arts
• languages