Skillzone

Skillzone ended in 2006. The project provided tuition in basic skills to small groups and individuals whose needs were not met by traditional adult education classes. Most students had a language other than English as their mother tongue. Courses were held wherever was most convenient for the student.

The aim of Skillzone was to encourage students, once they have gained confidence, to continue their studies through more formal courses.

Skillzone specialised in developing and piloting programmes based on local need, which are then incorporated into the syllabus of mainstream education providers:

• Skillzone set up a weekly session to support 12 Chinese students. The group – The Yan Kong Chinese Moral and Cultural Association - produced their own book. This group was used as a case study by researchers at the University of Leeds' School of Education, looking at effective teaching practice.
• In 2006 Laurinda Coelho, learner, won a prestigious adult learner's award from the National Institute of Adult Continuing Education (NIACE).
• Skillzone took part in a pilot on behalf of NIACE looking at the ICT curriculum in the new Skills for Life programme.
• A new group to help vulnerable parents was set up in conjunction with Harehills Sure Start. This proved very popular and successful.

Based on the success of this project we identified a huge demand for ESOL and Citizenship courses and we have now incorporated this delivery into our Job Zone project.

For more information on this project please visit our Job Zone page