Information Scotland The Journal of the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals in Scotland ISSN 1743-5471 Issue contents | Journal contents | About the online edition of the journal April 2007 Volume 5(2)

Web Focus: Lifelong Learning

Keep up-to-date with lifelong learning

In a new series for Information Scotland, Donald Maclean, Emma Brown and Richard Hughes – the Perth College Library Team – provide a roundup of useful websites on a topical subject, starting with Lifelong Learning.

In February 2003, the Scottish Executive published The Lifelong Learning Strategy for Scotland to help people acquire new skills, further their careers, or to benefit their lives in other ways. Stakeholders in the lifelong learning process include the public, educational institutions, national bodies, employers, professional, community and voluntary bodies, trade unions and private training firms.

An ‘organic’ list of major stakeholders is maintained by the Scottish Executive, and the Lifelong Learning UK Scotland website consists of a large database of information about sector skill agreements, policy, research and standards.

Not surprisingly, many library and information bodies are supporters of this initiative, including, CILIP, and SLIC. Several bodies within the education sector also rate lifelong learning high on their priority list, including Learning Teaching Scotland, Scottish Further Education Unit, Higher Education & Research Opportunities and Universities Scotland.

The Worker’s Educational Association promotes community-based lifelong learning for adults across Scotland, and the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations pursues an interest in equality and lifelong learning in the voluntary sector. The Learning and Skills Network is another non-profit organisation which is committed to making a difference in education and training,and the Literacy Trust strives to improve levels of literacy across all age ranges. Lead Scotland supports disabled youngsters and adults, and aims to widen access to post-school education.

The business world is interested in a population with an improved skills set. Learndirect Scotland, is the umbrella organisation set up by the Scottish Executive to encourage people back into learning. The Confederation of British Industry supports lifelong learning throughout the UK, and occasionally business and trade unions come together in partnership, such as one between Highlands and Islands Enterprise and the Scottish Trades Union Congress.

The Lifelong Learning initiative is closely monitored by the Scottish Executive, and statistics and various progress reports are available.

Information Scotland Vol. 5(2) April 2007

Information Scotland is delivered online by the SAPIENS electronic publishing service based at the Centre for Digital Library Research. SLAINTE (Scottish libraries across the Internet) offers further information about librarianship and information management in Scotland.