Community Learning is about learning...

• At any time
• For all citizens
• Anywhere: college, schools, work, leisure
• For any purpose: acquiring skills for professional reason, personal development, economic considerations, fun etc.
• In different ways: formal or informal learning
• Could lead to a qualification at any level, but does not have to
• The City Council has a vision of Birmingham - The Learning City

Why is it important?
In an ever-changing society, community learning is important because it can:

• Increase employability
• Encourage personal growth and a lifelong learning mind-set
• Develop knowledge, skills and new attitudes
• Give enjoyment and social contact

Economically it can help an organisation to:

• Be innovative and compete globally (especially since the arrival of the internet)
• Build a knowledge economy – through its workforce
• Become sustainable

Socially it can help to improve communities by developing:

• More caring citizens
• An increased quality of life
• Active community participation
• Appreciation of cultural diversity
• Community cohesion