STAFF at learndirect welcomed Chippenham’s Michelle Donelan MP to their open day on Friday.

The centre opened its doors to the public to showcase what it does as the UK’s largest provider of skills, training and employment.

Miss Donelan was shown how the centre helps learners, whether unemployed or employed, to reach their full potential through training.

Business manager, Nicki Coles, said: “The open day is to showcase what we do and awareness. A lot of people see us as just an online training provider whereas we also work to get people job ready whatever stage they are at.

“It’s to let more people know we are here and we are local. We have great successes but there’s still a lot of people locally that don’t know about us. We are not in a place where a lot of people just come past.”

Learndirect is government funded, meaning it can offer free help to the long-term unemployed, people who are unemployed for less than six months and employed people with Maths and English.

The centre helps with training plans put in place for their job goals whether that is to improve confidence or develop basic IT skills.

One trainee, Robert Dowse, of Thingley, near Corsham, began at the centre last year and has just finished his Maths and Level One IT. A former heavy goods driver, who has previously suffered health issues, he plans to start his Level Two IT in the coming month.

He said: “It’s been life-changing, the environment is good to learn and they improve the course as and when you are ready.

“The tutors have been superb. I thought doing IT would give me some more career options, if you need assistance they are there for you.”

Michelle Donelan MP added: “It was great to meet with Nikki Coles, Amanda Perkins and other staff today, to see the brilliant work they do in helping to make sure that everyone has an opportunity in the area.

“The Chippenham constituency has a very low rate of unemployment, however the percentage of those who are long-term unemployed is proportionally high.

“Learndirect is helping to combat this along with a number of other local organisations so it was useful to see this first-hand.”