Wokingham

Chairman of Wokingham Learning Partnership, Robin Cops, is moving on after almost four years at the helm.

The Partnership, hosted by Wokingham District Council, brings together those involved in encouraging people of all ages to fulfil their potential through learning and also acts as the voice of the Wokingham community for adult learning and skills issues within the district. It is now looking for a new champion to build on the position it has established in the community and take the partnership into its next phase.

Robin, who took up the reins of the partnership in 2002 after he retired from the international business world, said: “It has been a fascinating experience to be involved with colleges, businesses, the Learning and Skills Council and Wokingham District Council over the last four years. Working with a great team, I feel we now have an effective partnership well positioned to contribute to the Wokingham’s success as a community. It’s now time for me to step down and let someone else take this partnership through to the next phase of its development. I shall miss the buzz.”

Since the Wokingham Learning Partnership was established in 2000, it has worked behind the scenes to help identify and meet residents’ learning needs. Within the last year, it has sponsored the launch, with record enrolments, of the Learndirect Centre in Wokingham Library and identified needs and supported management courses for local businesses.

The Wokingham partnership has also been instrumental in bringing many new learners to courses at two neighbourhood learning centres, the Karten Centre in Crowthorne and the CresCent Centre in Lower Earley, and been involved with Family Learning Week and the Discover Culture Festival. It takes an overview of all adult learning in the district.

And now the partnership is looking for a new chairman. An increasingly important aspect of its activity will be the leadership of the adult learning and skills responsibility for Wokingham district within the Local Strategic Partnership, working with a wide range of other partners from the public and private sector, and in particular the business community.

The ideal candidate will have experience of holding a senior role in business and will also want to make a contribution to the local community. He or she needs to share the partnership’s vision and become the champion for learning. It is a challenging role but one that offers great opportunity to make a real difference to the district.

Chris Hamilton, corporate head of Wokingham cultural services, said: “The partnership has gone from strength to strength since it was introduced in 2000 and now includes all of the key players, working together to improve and coordinate adult learning and skills across the district. I would like to express my thanks to outgoing chairman Robin Cops for his special contribution to the partnership’s development, benefiting many adult learners across the district. I am looking forward to working with the new chairman in promoting the enjoyment and value of learning to all our residents.”

The role is voluntary but expenses are paid and the partnership receives administrative support from the district council. Anyone wanting more information should contact lifelong learning manager Wendy Crosson-Smith on (0118) 974 6164 and candidates need to register their interest by February 28.

Wokingham District Council