TESTIMONIALS

 

"We recognise the progressive approach of LWTT and commend the achievements of the team.  Overall we remain sure that this is an interesting and stimulating course, one which is very challenging for students but one which can play a significant role in bringing those with some practical experience but little analytical ability at the start of the course to the point where they are much more able to integrate theory and practice in a common framework and use it to advantage in their work.  This seems to us to be one of the key strengths of the course but does require high levels of input from staff.  We would like to acknowledge the fact that students largely come from practice backgrounds with little previous experience of developing analytical thinking; this is a struggle but a struggle which is clearly being won over time as students develop their competencies and confidence and we would want to encourage this process to continue".

Prof Margaret Ledwith, University of Cumbria (External Examiner) 2008
Prof Gary Craig, University of Hull (External Examiner) 2008

"Overall I think the quality of the programme and the capacity of the students is most encouraging.  I think there is evidence of insight into the two key areas for successful CD ie praxis and collective action.  Within the concept of Widening Participation, and in relation CLD, this programme demonstrates the vital role that outreach programmes have to play in the process of participatory democracy - building healthy communities at grassroots level and acting at policy level to reduce the social divisions that are the scourge of modern society".

Prof Margaret Ledwith, University of Cumbria (External Examiner) 2007
Professor of Community Development and Social Justice

"The programme is designed to meet the needs of local people and local communities.  We want to harness the recognised commitment, experience and ability present in disadvantaged communities.  It is a recognition that the problems in these areas are best identified and tackled by those who know most about them and have the ability to work towards their resolution.  It is also a reflection of the need that employers have for effective workers in this area".

Cathy Peattie, MSP, Chairperson of LWTT

"Learndirect Scotland has defined learning centres as places that will 'provide a safe, welcoming and supportive learning environment where learners can make guided choices about what, how and when they learn'.  We are looking to work with centres within key sectoral and geographical areas that have the people skills, services, facilities and ethos to ensure that the Pledge to Learners, which places learners at the heart of the learning experience, can be met and are willing to be proactive in addressing the challenges set within the Skills for Scotland Strategy.  Linked Work and Training Trust successfully achieved Learndirect Scotland branded status in January 2006, and continues to demonstrate the high quality of provision inherent to the Pledge to Learners".

Learndirect Scotland

"It is exciting for me to read the students' essays, especially where the emphasis on praxis starts to shine through.  Communities deserve the very best practitioner possible if we are to make the difference that marginalised people deserve, and at times I felt that promise materialising.  There is a confidence in the writing of the students who read and connect ideas with the practical expression of their work in community.  Where this is achieved, work is amongst the best that I have seen in our field.

This can only be achieved when there is an excellent learning context which gives rise to the best potential of students.  The evidence I see from the tutor comments is that students are pushed to achieve their very best by being challenged and directed in quite specific engagement with the students' writing.  The programme engages with theory in the light of the current political context and policy developments.  Consequently, the students are more readily focused on the way this impacts on their practice.  Less confident students struggle with making these connections, but no more than the challenge faced by all programmes of this kind.  On the whole, I am encouraged by the skills the tutor team demonstrate in the development of praxis thus ensuring that theory is not left behind in the academy".

Professor Margaret Ledwith, University of Cumbria, (External Examiner) 2006
Professor of Community Development and Social Justice

"The Directors of Falkirk and District Business Park were delighted to award LWTT the Taylor Award 2005.  The award was created to recognise tenant companies who achieve or contribute to the growth of companies and individuals within the local community.  The aim of Falkirk and District Business Park is to create the correct climate to enable new start companies and individuals to develop and grow.  The objectives mirror the philisophy of LWTT, and the fact that LWTT has decided to locate at Newhouse Road is much appreciated by The Business Park.  I would like to take this opportunity to wish your organisation continued success in the future.

Mike Willis, Chairman, Falkirk & District Business Park 2005

"The programme is clearly relevant, current and exciting for its students and tutors.  I am impressed with the overall quality of the work that I have read.  Where students make that vital link with critical analysis, their confidence shines through.  They engage with academic theory in a critical way in relation to the fundamental ideology of community learning and development relating this to the role of the practitioner in a way that is inspiring".

Professor Margaret Ledwith, University of Cumbria, (External Examiner) 2005
Professor of Community Development and Social Justice

"The LWTT model is an outstanding example of a project that builds the capacity of excluded communities to develop and harness their own skills, commitment, experience and confidence to contribute to sustained local ecomonic and social regeneration and demonstrate best practice".

Scottish Urban Regeneration Forum 2004
(LWTT Highly Commended in 'People' Category)

"The Trust doesn't have shiny new buildings.  Instead, it has specialist, focused education and training programme that is connected directly to the needs of a community. It's actually delivering degree level qualifications, giving communities a capacity to develop their own programme for regeneration.  This show that a small programme can deliver a multiplier effect".

British Urban Regeneration Association 2003
(LWTT Winner 2003 British Urban Regeneration Award - 'Best Practice in Regeneration')

"The impacts of the LWTT programme on the lives of its students and graduates have been significant.  It had not only improved the self-confidence, employability, standard of living and aspirations of the students, their families and friends, but has also had a positive impact on the communities in which they work and live.  By continuing to work locally, student and graduates have brought wealth and recognised skills back into their own communities and provided strong role models".

Operational Review of LWTT, Avanti July 2002

"There are a handful of projects in the programme which bear comparison with the most innovative, effective and efficient in Scotland.  These include.......Linked Work and Training Trust Central.  There may be others, but our own experience in Welfare to Work organisations and learning models make the relative quality of these projects easy to identify".

Falkirk Community Regeneration Partnership
Community Urban Regeneration Programme Annual Report 2001

"....the course was the best of these islands and achieved the balance of academic and practical work"

Professor Tom Lovett, Board of Examiners, Oct 2000

"Having come from a disadvantaged background and being faced with many obstacles and barriers, I never believed I could ever achieve a University degree.  LWTT has given me an amazing opportunity to break down many of the barriers I have previously faced.  I feel that LWTT has a unique way of teaching and really responds to my needs and aspirations.  My confidence has been boosted from this course and I have learned so much already I am able to use this in my practice.  It is also extremely beneficial in terms of being a debt free student and earning a decent living/keeping head above water".

Emma Nolan, FVIV Student

"The Community Learning and Development course I have undertaken via LWTT has been one of the most positive choices of my life.  Being educated in an environment where support from the tutors, and staff at LWTT was key to my learning has provided me with the necessary tools required to be a productive community worker.  Over the past three years I have seen my own confidence reach high levels, this has enabled me to challenge some of the issues communities face on a day to day basis constructively.  Most importantly this course has opened up doors for me which without the degree would never have been open.  I feel I have been educated in how to learn and change for the better.

Seema Arshad, BME Graduate

"Being on the LWTT course has not only changed my life in relation to developing a new career path but it has given me a whole new outlook on life. I think about things very differently and I'm now able to view things from different perspectives.  I have grown in confidence and learned to value my own thoughts and opinions as well as becoming more able to consider the views and opinions of others.  It would never have entered my mind to go to University and get a degree and if it had not been for the LWTT and the support that has given me I wouldn't be where I am now".

Lorna Fraser, FVIII Graduate