About Us

learndirectis a nationally recognised brand for learning and is the largest supplier of e learning courses of its kind in the world. We deliver our unique range of educational training products through three business streams:

• learndirect careers advice offers free independent careers advice over the phone, online and by e-mail
• learndirect skills and qualifications has hundreds of centres with courses to improve your maths, English and IT skills
• learndirect business provides off-the-shelf and bespoke work-based e learning courses

learndirect has been developed by Ufi (University for industry) with a remit from government to provide high quality post-16 learning which:

• Reaches those with few or no skills and qualifications who are unlikely to participate in traditional forms of learning;
• Equips people with the skills they need for employability, thereby strengthening the skills of the workforce and increasing productivity;
• Is delivered innovatively through the use of new technologies.

To achieve this, Ufi aims to inspire existing learners to develop their skills further, win over new and excluded learners and transform the accessibility of learning in everyday life and work.

learndirect operates a network of more than 800 online learning centres in England and Wales, providing access to a range of e learning opportunities. learndirect's flexible learning is available to individual adults wanting to improve existing skills or to learn new ones, and to employers looking for an innovative way to develop the skills of their workforce. Since its launch in 2000 more than two million learners have enrolled on almost 4.5 million learndirect courses. learndirect offers around 500 different courses covering a range of subjects, including management, IT, Skills for Life and languages, at all levels. More than three quarters of the training courses are available online allowing people to learn wherever they have access to the internet - at home, at work or at a learndirect centre. To enquire about learndirect courses call the helpline on 0800 101 901.

For details of specific press office contacts and to see learndirect news releases visit our online press office.

To enquire about learndirect courses call the helpline on 0800 101 901.

Ufi also runs a government funded national learning advice service which offers impartial information, advice and guidance, either over the phone or via its website, on nearly one million courses from thousands of providers nationwide. Since its launch in 1998 it has taken more than eight million calls and there have been more than 20 million hits on the website.

Ufi Limited Registered in England No. 3980770	learndirect Solutions Ltd Registered in England No. 5081669	UFI Charitable Trust Registered in England No. 3658378 Registered Charity No. 1081028
Registered Office: Dearing House, 1 Young Street, Sheffield, S1 4UP

Skills for Life

There are an estimated 17.8 million people in the UK with literacy and numeracy skills below Level 2, equivalent to a A*-C grade at GCSE. The impact on people's everyday lives of a literacy, numeracy or language difficulty can be enormous. Many of these people need to improve their skills to manage everyday tasks, such as helping children with homework, following a recipe, dealing with household accounts or responding to official correspondence.

Literacy and numeracy problems also affect people at work, and hinder not only individuals' progress but business' efficiency and productivity. Ufi works with both individuals and employers to identify and address skills gaps and help both to fulfil their potential.

The learndirect Skills for Life portfolio includes literacy, numeracy, and English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL).

Working with employers

A commitment to workforce development is fundamental to the drive to raise UK skills levels and to increase productivity and business performance. Ufi, through learndirect business, is playing a key role in providing training solutions for the workforce. The flexibility of e-learning, coupled with the learndirect portfolio of business focused courses, means that Ufi has something to offer employers of all sizes, whether from the private, voluntary or public sector.

As every employer is different, Ufi has developed separate approaches to working with small businesses, Sector Skills Councils and large employers, from all sectors, to address their specific needs. Whatever the needs of your workforce Ufi can find an e-learning solution that works for you.

So in practical terms what is different about learndirect that benefits employers and their workforce?

• learndirect courses can be delivered in the workplace, reducing staff travel time and the number of hours spent off-site.
• Courses can be accessed at any time, so learners are not restricted to waiting for the next course date or for the start of the academic year. There is no requirement to commit to a regular time to study, which means that e-learning fits around the variable working patterns of staff working irregular hours due to shift work or heavy workloads.
• Individuals can access learndirect courses at any stage in their working life, starting at a level, and working at a pace, that suits them. The extensive range of courses available means that there is something on offer for everyone - from "bite-sized" learning opportunities offering the chance to address specific skills gaps to longer term programmes of study leading to established qualifications, including degrees, through the innovative "Learning through Work" programme.

For further information about Ufi's work with employers: www.learndirect-business.co.uk

The learndirect Advice Service

learndirect Advice provides information, advice and guidance to support adults in making appropriate decisions on a full range of learning and work opportunities.

The service is:

• free to all adults in England, Wales and Northern Ireland
• confidential
• impartial
• delivered by competent and qualified helpline staff that conform to equal opportunities practices
• accessible on the web, by e-mail, and mini com (08000 568 865) as well as by phone on 0800 100 900
• delivered in accordance with the National IAG Board Principles
• available from 8 am to 10 pm, 7 days a week.

The enhanced guidance service which launched in January 2006 offers personalised careers advice and guidance to callers who:

• are yet to receive a full level 3 qualification
• are returning to work
• have been made redundant or are facing redundancy.

Advice in other languages

learndirect Advice also has a team of bi-lingual advisors who can provide information and advice in a caller’s own language. Advisors can be contacted on the following numbers:

Language	Phone number	Opening hours
English	0800 100 900	8am – 10 pm every day
Farsi	08000 931 116	9am – 5pm Mon - Fri
French	08000 931 115	9am – 5pm Mon - Fri
Gujarati	08000 931 119	9am – 5pm Mon – Fri
Polish	08000 931 114	9am – 5pm Mon - Fri
Punjabi	08000 931 333	9am – 8pm Mon - Fri
Somali	08000 931 555	9am – 5pm Mon – Fri
Sylheti	08000 931 444	9am – 5pm Mon – Fri
Urdu	08000 931 118	9am – 8pm Mon – Fri

Accessibility

Callers with a hearing impairment can access the service on the following numbers.

Typetalk	18001 0800 100 900	8am – 10 pm every day
Minicom	08000 568 865	8am – 10 pm every day