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8 Aug 2006 16:29:32
Companies in the capital are being invited to take advantage of a free business language training programme to help boost international trading.
French or Mandarin Chinese are on offer thanks to the World Class Skills for London project, funded by the European Social Fund (ESF) and the Learning and Skills Council (LSC), with the aim of improving the language skills of London employees.
The courses are being delivered at Beths Grammar School, Bexley, in conjunction with the University of Bedfordshire, which has been co-ordinating the courses throughout London over the last two years.
The project is delivered in partnership with UK Trade and Investment, the Specialist Schools and Academies Trust, and other Specialist Schools throughout London. More than 150 employees from 125 companies have already taken advantage and gained qualifications at the end of the course.
The programme aims to give employees from small and medium enterprises (SMEs) a grounding in basic business terminology to help them communicate with customers in Europe and Asia.
University Project Manager, Rita Mascia, explained: “The schools use the University’s Language and Culture for Business (LCB) materials and our online learning method which have been developed over a number of years. We have already delivered this programme successfully to SMEs in the West Midlands.”
The University of Bedfordshire’s language programme, developed over eight years, has already proved to be a winner – it received a language trainers’ award from the Department for Trade and Industry.
Eamonn Keenan, Associate Director at the University’s Business Development Unit, said: “We are delighted to be leading this important initiative. We know from running this programme in other regions that it will help businesses to be more competitive in international markets.
“We are also pleased to be working in partnership with the Specialist Schools and Academies Trust and the specialist schools, allowing them to share their expertise with London businesses.”
Courses take place one afternoon a week, starting in September for 12 weeks, and lead to recognised business language qualifications.
To find out more about the WCL programme, contact Liz Littler on 0771 4450844 or email liz.littler@beds.ac.uk.
Latest news» 2006» Aug» Language training to boost international trade for London firms
