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Photo: Jess Hurd/reportdigital.co.uk
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NASS Chief Executive George McGrath (far left), Skills Minister Matthew Hancock (right) and City of Bristol College tutor Josh Gearing find out what’s on offer at the new centre with learner Rosie McKee
…and they’re off! Workers at the home of horse racing in Newmarket are under starter’s orders for courses in English, maths and ICT after Skills Minister and local MP Matthew Hancock opened a dedicated learning centre for them in February.
Launched by the National Association of Stable Staff (NASS) with the support of unionlearn and City of Bristol College, the new centre is based at the New Astley Club, a social welfare organisation closely linked to the racing community. Equipped with a new IT suite, the centre is opening its doors to learners with 15-week courses in English, maths and ICT, organised around the times of the stables’ working hours to ensure as many staff as possible can take part. NASS Chief Executive George McGrath said the union was keen to help racing staff at all points of their careers.
“We hope that this new facility at the Astley Club is the first of several around the UK,” he said, adding that more were planned at Lambourn, Middleham, Malton and Epsom. “We’re delighted that the minister was able to join us to support the new facilities and the continued growth of union supported learning,” commented unionlearn Director Tom Wilson, one of several important guests at the launch. “Lifelong learning is vital for the life chances of employees but also for the health of business and the economy and we’re delighted to be able to support the first learning centre for staff working in the racing industry.”
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