Turn over a new leaf this autumn by enrolling on one of Islington Council’s free autumn courses.<br><br>From information technology to literacy, and from English for speakers of a second language (ESOL) to film and video, the range of courses is both interesting and practical.<br><br>Vida Akom-Mensah is one of the recent graduate success stories. Vida worked her way through courses such as Word, Excel and databases while working for as a cleaner for Platform1 – one of 20 on-line centres throughout the borough.<br><br>Vida is now the centre’s receptionist, providing administrative and moral support to all learners that attend the centre.<br><br>“I am really enjoying being able to apply the skills I learnt as well as interacting with new learners to the centre and sharing my positive experiences with them,” Vida said.<br><br>Councillor Meral Ece, Executive member for health and social care for adults, said: “Vida’s success is a testament to her hard work and the quality of both the courses and facilities offered for free in Islington at our Online Centres.<br><br>“We are committed to providing adult learning opportunities to residents throughout the borough and stories like Vida’s show exactly what people can achieve. Why not go along to your local Online Centre and see what's on offer."<br><br>As well as being easily accessible, the centres are all installed with the latest computers, interactive whiteboards, printers and broadband. <br><br>Users are able to progress their work from one site to another to continue their learning wherever it is most convenient.<br><br>Qualifications in information and communications technology as well as literacy and numeracy are also offered.<br><br>For further information on the courses contact the council’s adult and community learning team on 020 7527 5782. Enrolments for new courses start in September.<br><br>Islington Online is the council's neighbourhood learning network of 20 neighbourhood learning centres and a mobile computer bus. It is one of the biggest in the country and the centers are in a range of locations including Arsenal FC, the council's libraries, schools, housing estates and community centres. The centres also offer a range of activities such as homework clubs, after school activities, health programmes and community activities. The centres also support a range of regeneration projects such as Sure Start, Family Learning and Out of School Hours learning as well as using the mobile computer project to support Islington Council's Summer University.<br><br>Ends<br><br>Islington's 20 Neighbourhood Learning Centres can be found at:<br>·Central Library, Holloway Road, N7 - First Steps<br>·Goswell Road - ECI - The Goswell Centre<br>·City and Islington College (Local) Junction Road<br>·City and Islington College (Andover Centre) Andover Estate<br>·The Crouch Hill Community Centre, Crouch Hill<br>·Hilldrop ICT Centre - Hilldrop Neighbourhood Learning Centre<br>·HNG Multi Media - Fire station<br>·CSV Multi Media Clubhouse<br>·Elfrida Rathbone Society<br>·Market Estate (Hyde Housing Association) - Market Online<br>·Mayville Community Centre - Mayville Neighbourhood Learning Centre<br>·Islington Online Mobile Computer Bus<br>·Film and Video Workshop @Hungerford School<br>·Arsenal Red Zone - Arsenal Football Club<br>·Durham Road Lifelong Learning Centre<br>Elizabeth House Lifelong Learning Centre<br>Hanley Crouch Lifelong Learning Centre<br>·Thornhill Neighbourhood Project - Thornhill Neighbourhood<br>Learning Centre<br>·Islington African Project - Elthorne Learning Centre Project<br>·Platform 1 @ EGA School
Page Last Updated: 17 December 2009