Exmouth computer training centre to close

18:20 27th February 2009

A computer training centre known as the Strand, which has helped many unemployed people in the Exmouth region to develop new skills, is set to close.

Malcolm Walsh, the assistant principal of Exeter College, which operates two Metro Learning Centres subsidised with government funding, said that the end of the academic year would bring the closure.

Both unemployed people and working individuals seeking to re-train for potential IT careers have had use of the centre to train, with the facilities available for some free of charge if they were claiming benefits.

According to the Exmouth Herald, Mr Walsh told students: "The reason for this proposal is that it is apparent from the review that it is no longer viable to operate the two centres because of changing trends in the way part-time learners study IT."

Mr Walsh added that part of the reason for the closure was the fact that many people prefer to engage in home learning rather than use communal equipment in training centres.

The Press and Journal reports that a new training centre for Banff and Buchan College has been opened in Aberdeenshire.