EMS launches mobile learning centre

Paul Milligan, 12 November 2008

Event Marketing Solutions (EMS) has completed a £200,000 mobile learning centre for Northumberland College. The vehicle will enable the college to deliver a range of training directly to rural communities and businessess in remote parts of the region.

The 11 metre ‘Making Learning Local' vehicle was custom-built by EMS to provide a multi-vocational resource equipped to deliver everything from introductory courses to foundation degrees.

Carrying on-board IT, it can be converted to provide layouts including a conference room, a classroom and even a mini hair and beauty salon.

Officially launched in mid-October, the vehicle has already been used to provide food hygiene training for hoteliers. Future bookings include delivering a 2-year early years foundation degree course in the north of the region and providing training for community-based NHS staff.

The college is now targeting businesses and community leaders across the rural north and west of the region to encourage them to take advantage of the service.

The vehicle was commissioned by the college to complement its original mobile learning centre - a smaller and less flexible unit that has proved so popular with businesses that the college could not meet all demand.

The cost of developing and building the vehicle was met by the college, in partnership with the Northumberland Strategic Partnership via the One North East regional development agency.

The project is the second mobile training vehicle developed by EMS in 2008. Earlier this year, the company delivered a similar facility - the Skills Lorry, focusing primarily on providing vocational training for young people - to Thurrock Council.