Aurion chosen for City and Guilds e-learning initiative

Belfast-based e-learning company Aurion have secured a £100,000 contract to develop the UK City and Guilds first e-learning programme, called Learning for Living.

Aurion developed the learning materials and supporting interactive technology that enabled City and Guilds to launch ‘Learning for Living: Online Learning for Carers’, the first e-learning programme of its kind in the UK and Europe.

The innovative e-learning programme harnesses the potential of the Internet to provide carers with the confidence and support network they might need to get back to work or move on to further training; for their careers or personal aspirations.

Current figures show that it could help over one and a half million people, who may have been forced to give up their jobs to look after sick, disabled or frail relatives as it is designed to help them back into paid employment.

Aurion worked with City and Guilds to shape the planned content for the Internet and then applied its educational multimedia design and software development expertise to provide a computer programme that could be accessed as easily as possible by the widest range of users including those new to the Internet.

Aurion Managing Director, Dr Maureen Murphy, said: "We were delighted to win this important contract. It provides us with the opportunity to work with City and Guilds who are renowned for their expertise and track record in providing educational programmes for the vocational sector.

“The e-learning programme that City and Guilds has chosen to develop in partnership with Aurion, not only provides richly interactive content for those careers returning to study, but also uses the power of the Internet to provide support and online community-based activities to help ease learning barriers carers may face."

The flexibility of home-study, which is enabled through the programme, allows the carer, who may have been away from formal education for a long time, to ease gently back into the world of learning. At the same time, special collaboration opportunities facilitated through the programme, assist them in forming online associations and friendships to bolster their learning confidence.

Over 12% of the population, roughly seven million people in Britain, care for someone and this could rise nine million by 2037.

Visit the website at www.aurion.co.uk for further information.

(SP)