| Cabinet minister Alan Johnson joined a host of dignitaries for the launch of BT's hi-tech community learning centre at the depot in North Yorkshire. |
The Labour MP and Trade and Industry Secretary visited the depot in Darlington Road, Northallerton, to declare the centre officially open for business.
Designed to teach workers and their families invaluable new skills, the facility is the result of a partnership between BT and the Communication Workers´ Union (CWU).
From September 28 it will offer a variety of courses - from sign language to Spanish and basic skills, which can be studied on line at eight workstations under the guidance of tutors from Stockton Adult Education Services.
Mr Johnson said: "Too many children leave school too early and we have to address this problem. Too many adults who have a great deal to offer are not given the opportunity. We need them to engage in learning. A lot have the skills but not the bit of paper they need to say so.
"The Trade Union movement is getting to places traditional educationalists have been unable to reach and the transformation is absolutely remarkable."
BT group human resources director Alex Wilson said: "BT as a company has a fundamental belief in education and the development of skills. This is necessary for competitive reasons, it's right for the individual and it helps improve the quality of life."
CWU assistant secretary Ian Cuthbert said: "The CWU has been at the forefront of life long learning. It is something we have had to build from the ground up and it is something that has made a huge contribution to people's lives."
Union learning representative John Blevins of the CWU, said: "Our aim is to help educate people. You can´t force people to learn, but the facilities are now here. It is good for the individual, it is good for business and it's good for society."
Trish Lavelle, national education & training officer for the CWU, said"It really does offer hope to people who may have had a bad experience of education in the past".
 L to R Ian Cuthbert CWU, Alex Wilson BT, John Blevins ULR and standing Rt Hon Alan Johnson Minister for the DTI |
 Rt Hon Alan Johnson Minister for the DTI with tutors from Stockton Adult Education |