People from every walk of life can now get involved in learning something new, said Further Education Minister Kevin Brennan, as he kicked off The Learning Revolution Festival at Old Spitalfields Market in East London.
Kevin Brennan joined a huge range of key informal adult learning stakeholders for the launch of The Learning Revolution Festival, a month-long celebration of informal adult learning and the benefits it brings for individuals, families, businesses and communities.
Throughout The Learning Revolution Festival hundreds of events, such as taster sessions, workshops, demonstrations, performances, competitions and classes, will take place across England giving current learners the chance to celebrate what they enjoy and others the opportunity to try something completely new. By highlighting the richness and sheer diversity of what's available, The Learning Revolution Festival will encourage people of all ages and backgrounds to get involved in learning.
Kevin Brennan, Minister for Further Education, Apprenticeships, Skills and Consumer Affairs, said: "Informal learning brings proven mental, physical and social benefits and the Learning Revolution Festival is all about highlighting these benefits. Through our commitments in the Learning Revolution White Paper, the Government is doing its best to encourage organisations, groups and individuals to get involved and get learning."
The Festival is part of The Learning Revolution movement kickstarted by the Government White Paper published in March 2009. The Government already spends £210 million each year on informal adult learning and the White Paper committed an additional £30million for 2009-10 to strengthen the infrastructure for informal learning across England. Of this, the £20m Transformation Fund recently awarded grants to 231 informal learning initiatives and a new £3m support package for community learning champions will be launched 8th October.
People wanting to join the Festival and try something new should visit www.direct.gov.uk/learningrevolution where they can find details of hundreds of events taking place up and down the country.
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