By Joanne Hampson EDUCATION for all is at the heart of a country-wide initiative to boost learning - and Bury is leading the way.

The Government's own scheme to make education accessible to everyone is still at the consultation stage but Bury is already one step ahead thanks to a new partnership.

Bury College, the Bolton Bury Training and Enterprise Council (BBTEC) and the council's own Community Education Service (CES) have joined forces to explore and develop new learning opportunities for the entire borough.

Normally competitors, the college and the CES are the two largest adult education providers in Bury. Now, thanks to financial support from BBTEC, they are embarking on a one year partnership.

Education committee chairman Cllr David Ryder said: "The aim of the partnership is to explore local rates of participation in further education and the reasons why people do and don't get involved. This information and feedback can then be used to help us ensure better provision for the future."

The three organisations will work together to develop 'Learning Pathways' - activities within the community designed to enable people to progress easily from stage to stage in the learning process. The overall process will link in with other work currently underway in the borough.

Project co-ordinator for Bury, Lesley Prosser, said: "We are committed to the project because the principle of lifelong learning is beneficial to each and every individual in Bury, and we want to offer individuals in our borough every opportunity to benefit themselves."

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