The recent, unprecedented focus on service delivery in the voluntary and community sector has increased attention on how it can offer accessible, high quality learning to local communities, clients and workers, and particularly those most excluded from mainstream opportunities.

The sector's major role in delivering key objectives in adult learning such as improving basic skills, widening participation, and building neighbourhood renewal is now widely recognised. Providing learning opportunities is clearly critical to this but the contribution could be far wider. Working Together, the Learning and Skills Councils national strategy for work with the sector, also recognises its role as an employer, a source of expertise, and as a channel for communication.

This conference will focus on such key areas as learner support, appropriate information, advice and guidance, participative outreach approaches, workforce development, and the skills needed to highlight and develop learning in other activities. And to consider some key questions.

How do we secure funding for this work?
What does good practice look like in this context?
What forms of support would help sector organisations, and particularly those with 'non-educational' purposes, develop diverse roles in adult learning?

For a copy of the programme and application form, look up:

http://www.niace.org.uk/Conferences/RicherPicture.htm