New Co-ordinator for IT Buddy Scheme

The IT Buddy Scheme aims to help people with little or no IT experience access training and development in the use of technology by utilising the skills of people from local communities. The project is currently looking for people who would like to give a little of their time and become Paddock Community Forum volunteers, who then pass on their IT skills to others.


The scheme aims to promote adult learning and bring together people from all walks of life, especially those who feel isolated or are in need of a confidence boost. There are opportunities to learn about effective job searching and employability skills, digital photography, social networking, the use of the IT to make financial savings. The objective is to work together in order to benefit from each other’s knowledge, in supportive learning environments throughout Kirklees.



For more information on the IT Buddy Scheme please contact Giles Harrison on 01484 440 798 or send an e-mail to Giles@paddockforum.org.uk alternatively contact the Paddock Community Forum on 01484 431 400.

Correction from old blog post, Lowerhouses Childrens Centre - September Courses

A taster session for the Skills For Jobs programme is to be run at Lowerhouses Childrens Centre, starting Monday September 6th and running for four weeks. The sessions are aimed at helping learners get back into work by providing support in job search and preparation - CV building, job search and applications, increasing confidence skills and assessments. The Children’s Centre will provide light refreshments during the session.
Taster session with creche for under 5's
Time: 2pm - 3.30pm
Date: Monday, September 6th

Four-week follow on course at Lowerhouses Children's Centre will run from Tuesday, September 14th.
Time: 1pm – 3pm.
Date: Tuesday, September 14th
Anybody interested can contact Paddock Learning Centre on 01484 431400.

Level 1 ICT qualification at Thornhill Lees

Learners at Thornhill Lees Community Centre ,Dewsbury, have successfully completed a Level 1 ICT qualification through the Skills for Jobs Project.

IT taster course held at Birkby Infants School.

Parents of children attending Birkby Infants School attented a short 5 week IT taster course run by Paddock Learning Centre. We hope to be able to hold another short course in the autumn. This project was funded through the Reducing Inequalities Grant.

Lowerhouses Childrens Centre - September Courses

A taster session for the Skills For Jobs programme is to be run at Lowerhouses Childrens Centre, starting Monday September 6th and running for four weeks. The sessions are aimed at helping learners get back into work by providing support in job search and preparation - CV building, job search and applications, increasing confidence skills and assessments. The Children’s Centre will provide light refreshments during the session.
Time: 12noon – 2pm.
Date: Monday, September 6th

A similar four-week course at Lowerhouses Children's Centre for those with under 5's will run from Tuesday, September 14th as a free crèche for children under 5's will be available.
Time: 1pm – 3pm.
Date: Tuesday, September 14th

Anybody interested can contact Paddock Learning Centre on 01484 431400.

Adult Learner Award Success

Peter Ray, who took part in the Campus Skills For Jobs programme, won a most determined learner award at the Adult Learner Awards held in May at Huddersfield Town Hall. Peter had worked in engineering for most of his adult life and had no knowledge of computers when he enrolled on a Skills For Jobs introductory course at Paddock Learning Centre. He successfully completed the first course and eventually completed further training for his full Level One qualification in IT. He now works full-time for Kirklees Council in the Estates Department. Peter (left) is pictured with the former chief executive of Kirklees Council Rob Vincent.

Update on Newsome Grapevine Project

Newsome residents have successfully completed a number of UK Online courses at the Newsome Scout Hut as part of the Newsome Grapevine project. Paddock Learning Centre has supplied laptops and staff to help visitors to the Friday drop-in sessions get to grips with the Internet through a series of short on-line courses. The sessions finish on Friday July 16th but we hope to secure further funding to enable the drop-in to continue in September.