A prestigious award for best practice in urban regeneration has been won by Scottish organisation and University of Glasgow partner, the Linked Work & Training Trust Central (LWTTC). The award from the British Urban Regeneration Association (BURA) recognised work in providing degree level training to people excluded from the normal routes into Higher Education.

LWTTC was one of only five projects in the UK to receive such recognition this year and the only winner in Scotland. It was also the only people focussed programme to win. The Deputy Prime Minister, John Prescott presented the award at a ceremony in London last week that was attended by LWTTC staff, students, graduates, directors and funders.

LWTTC works with employers in Falkirk & Clackmannanshire council areas to create full time training posts with a community development remit. Local people with histories of voluntary activity in their communities are recruited into these posts through an open recruitment process. In addition to full-time paid employment they also become full-time students of the University of Glasgow and study towards the Degree of Bachelor of Community Education & Community Development. The degree is delivered by trust staff on behalf of the University in Grangemouth, eliminating the problems of access due to travel requirements.

"This programme makes a highly distinctive contribution to widening participation in higher education and at the same time has a real impact on the ground in the struggle against social exclusion. It has an enviable record in preparing its graduates for professional posts in community development and it is to be hoped that these features, together with this further public acknowledgement of its value will ensure a long future for the qualification", said Fred Hay, Board of Management Chair, Bachelor of Community Education & Community Development, University of Glasgow.

Cathy Peattie, MSP and Chairperson of LWTTC explains the multiple benefits of this training model:

"The programme is designed to meet the needs of local people and local communities. We want to harness the recognised commitment, experience and ability present in disadvantaged communities. The problems in these areas are best identified and tackled by those who know most about them and have the ability to work toward their resolution. The programme is also a reflection of the need that employers have for effective workers in this area."

LWTTC students are assessed in the same way as other University of Glasgow students but training differs with elements of work and training being linked for LWTTC students to form a complete package that allows them to develop practical and academic skills at the same time. This has made graduates more attractive to potential employers and helped a large number secure employment in this field.

Previous winners of the BURA award have included large scale regeneration projects like the Millenium Link, Union Square in North Shields and the Riverside in Newark.

Media Relations Office (media@gla.ac.uk)

About Linked Work & Training Trust Central

The Linked Work and Training Trust (Central) was established in October 1995 and currently in the Falkirk & Clackmannanshire Council areas. The initial development of the scheme came from a growing awareness that access to qualifying training in community education and community development was largely limited to those people who had a conventional educational background. The programme is designed to widen access to higher education and professional qualifications for local people whilst meeting the needs of local communities.

The initiative provides students with community development work settings as well as training to a professional qualifying level in Community Education and Community Development. The degree is awarded by the University of Glasgow but as locally managed by an active partnership of key local regeneration agencies, Falkirk and Clackmannanshire Councils, Forth Valley NHS Trust, Central Scotland Police, Scottish Enterprise Forth Valley, Linkwide Ltd working with community and voluntary organizations.

It is a unique initiative in terms of providing access for local people who would not otherwise have access to a University course due to circumstances or lack of qualifications. The Scheme harnesses the experience, knowledge and skills of local people who have a commitment to locally developed community work.

The programme provides a new and innovative approach to professional community development training and meets the increasing demand for community education and learning skills in public, voluntary and private sectors. It is a programme of education and work-based learning towards a first degree in community education and community development.

There are currently ten students on the studying with the trust, all of whom have recently completed the first year of a three year degree programme. Two previous cohorts have produced 22 graduates in 1998 and 2002.

For Further Information about the Linked Work & Training Trust Central contact Fiona Craig Tel: 01324 489666 E-mail: fcraig@lwttc.org.uk

About The British Urban Regeneration Awards

1. BURA, the British Urban Regeneration Association, was formed in 1990 to provide a forum for the exchange of ideas, experience and information for the emerging regeneration sector. A decade later, the understanding of the regeneration agenda and its significance for all sectors has developed and will continue to do so in the future.

Within this environment, BURA has become the leading independent organisation for those involved in regeneration. Its unique strength is derived from its wide range of members who represent the private, public and community sectors, and this distinguishes it from all other sectoral interest groups. BURA identifies and promotes best practice in regeneration and advocates an integrated approach to the social, economic and environmental issues involved.

The Association offers its members national and regional networks, dynamic and diverse events, seminars and conferences and specialist forums covering key issues of the regeneration agenda.

2. The BURA Awards for Best Practice in Regeneration are sponsored by English Partnerships.

English Partnerships is the national regeneration agency supporting high quality sustainable growth across the country. It is a key delivery agency for the urban renaissance and the Deputy Prime Minister's Sustainable Communities Plan. Working in close collaboration with public and private sector partners, its core strands of activity focus on:

Building affordable homes and new communities Bringing new life to established communities Making best use of the nation's scare supply of land Promoting skills, best practice and sustainability

Major initiatives include the National Coalfields Programme, Urban Regeneration Companies and Millennium Communities. Further information on programmes and projects can be found at www.englishpartnerships.co.uk. Email: pressofficelondon@englishpartnerships.co.uk

3. To be considered for recognition, winning projects have demonstrated the following criteria:

they make a successful economic contribution to the regeneration of the area and be financially viable;

they act as a catalyst for further regeneration and development in the area, thus creating a self-sustaining momentum with long term benefits;

they contribute to community spirit and cohesion by raising levels of confidence in the long term living and working environment of the local area and should contribute to building the capacity of local people;

they contribute to environmental sustainability;

they have been completed to the point where there is a track record of success.

In addition, projects demonstrated:

that they represent best rather than good or average practice; the desirability of involving an appropriate range of partners and taking action on a number of fronts; the need to consider and plan for the long term development, management and continued operation of a scheme or project; qualities of imagination, innovation, inspiration and determination.

For further information on the Award winners or the Awards Ceremony, please contact Tara Burton in the BURA office Tel: 0800 0181 260 / 020 7539 4033 Email awards@bura.org.uk Website www.bura.org.uk or www.buranet.com

For the BURA press release go to http://www.bura.org.uk/main/content.htm?../press/pressreleaseindex.htm

For further information about the University of Glasgow?s involvement contact the University press office Tel: 0141 330 3535.

First published: 28 November 2003