About the Project

The contents on this website are the result of a project undertaken within the context of a strong and effective collaboration between the SEEDA (South East Economic Development Agency) Area Team, local authorities (particularly the Regeneration Managers for Reading, Slough & Wycombe), Groundwork Thames Valley and other members of the Thames Valley Economic Partnership. The project was carried out from January – March 2005, with the possible extension of work until the end of June 2005.

The purpose of the project was to build and expand existing knowledge of skills, training and employment within areas of high deprivation, those being:

1. Church and Whitley wards in Reading
2. Britwell ward in Slough - and
3. Lane End, which falls within the Chiltern Rise ward in Wycombe

The project sought to identify local basic skills gaps and to research how Neighbourhood Learning Centres (NLCs) are being used to address these gaps. Employment was assessed to establish whether or not businesses employ locally, what skills they require, and whether or not there is a gap between these requirements and the skill levels within the community. Overall, the research provides a snapshot of the current situation in these areas as well as a knowledge base that could prioritise future initiatives more effectively.

The project utilizes Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to gather, organize and analyze data about skills, training and employment within the project areas. Information was gathered from three main groups: local community members, Neighbourhood Learning Centres, and local businesses within the study area. Consultations were carried out with each of the three main groups, and GIS was used to analyse the consultation data.

Definitions

This project addresses skills and education only in terms of basic skills. According to the Basic Skills Agency , basic skills are defined as “The ability to read, write and speak in English / Welsh and to use mathematics at a level necessary to function and progress at work and in society in general." Building on this definition, basic skills in the context of this project are: the ability to read/write English/Welsh, basic maths skills, and basic ICT skills.

Neighbourhood Learning Centres (NLCs) in this study are defined as establishments where adults (persons 16 years or older) can receive formal or informal training in basic skills and/or ICT, within their own local area.