A NEW, refurbished Open Learning Centre has been opened in Chorley offering a true e-learning environment for the public.

The centre is a joint venture between Lex Multipart and Preston College and provides a range of Learndirect programmes across the internet.

Anyone can enrol at the centre and then continue their learning from home or at work - wherever they have access to the internet.

A broad range of subjects is available and courses come in small units so that progress can be achieved in 'bite-sized chunks'.

John Stephenson, group managing director at Lex Multipart, said the company was committed to learning and development at all levels.

"The benefit of the Learndirect approach is that you can access learning at all times and in blocks to suit the demands of your job and your lifestyle," he said.

"It is crucial that industry and education work together to match the future needs of business and this is an extremely exciting opportunity as the centre's college-company partnership has led to a strong commercial focus to products and services."

New high speed connections to Learndirect websites allow learners to gain access to material on a wide range of subjects, including information technology, business and management and business studies.

This innovative approach to learning new skills is attracting busy employees, part-time workers and people whose lives do not match traditional course timetables. For further information, Tel: 01257 225457.