New regional collaborations fund learning pathways for adults

In northern, central and southern Limburg, LLO collectives are starting up, funded by the National Growth Fund. The LLO collective is a collaboration between all Limburg municipalities, Gilde Opleidingen, VISTA College and the Limburg Employers Association (LWV). For two years, they are working together to make learning more accessible and attractive to adults with low basic skills and a limited educational background. For free, these adults get the chance to develop their talents and find work that suits them. This increases their chances of employment, job retention and job development.

Regional cooperation

In Limburg, more than 100,000 adults struggle with basic skills such as reading, writing, arithmetic and digital skills. As a result, they experience more obstacles in finding work or attending training. To support this group, all partners are working together for two years in LLO collectives, in coordination with national parties and the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science.

In addition to the core partners mentioned above, SBB, UWV, human development companies, MKB Limburg, Yuverta and Gilde Educatie, among others, are also involved in the implementation. Within the approach, basic skills are linked to vocational skills and employee skills. Employees with low basic skills can develop language, math and digital skills through their employer, linked to vocational training on the shop floor. Thus, learning and working are directly linked and training and daily practice reinforce each other. This collective and centralized approach makes it possible to reach people and support them effectively. .

The Province of Limburg endorses the importance of investing in the basic skills of the Limburg (professional) population and supports the application within the subsidy scheme National Growth Fund LLO collective low-skilled and low-literate. In doing so, the province emphasizes the importance of a solid regional embedding and supra-regional coordination. The province's support is reflected, among other things, in the active connection with the Limburg labor market policy and the business community. This ensures continuity and makes this temporary investment the start of a long-term and broad approach.

Call to employers

Employers in Limburg play a key role in strengthening basic skills. The LLO collective offers companies the opportunity to allow their employees to participate free of charge in learning programs that are in line with workplace practices. Employers who want to invest in the development and sustainable employability of their staff are invited to apply and together explore which approach suits their organization.

For more information, contact Jacqueline Jennen, LLO Project Manager, at jennen@lwv.nl.