Anna Raeburn and skills minister launch teacher training centre

Madeline Held introduces Phil Hope MP (minister for skills)

LLU+ (formerly London, Language and Literacy Unit) at London South Bank University has celebrated its 31st anniversary with the opening of a brand new professional development centre at Pocock House in Southwark Bridge Road.

LLU+ provides training and advice on adult literacy, numeracy, ESOL, dyslexia support, family learning and much more for thousands of people. It is the largest professional organisation of its kind.

LLU+ has expanded from fewe than 10 staff to more than 60 in the last five years. It plays a major role in developing the infrastructure for the Government's Skills for Life Strategy as well as being a major partner in key national initiatives.

The new centre will bring LLU+ services under one roof in a convenient, central location and offer clients new and improved facilities including dedicated training rooms with smartboards and a state-of-the-art ICT suite.

"Projects such as the LLU+ are vital if we are to make sure that the knowledge and skills of teachers keep pace with current and future demands," said minister for skills Phil Hope. "A fully professional workforce is a key part of our strategy for making the learning and skills sector world class and responsive to learners and employers. I congratulate the staff of the LLU+ centre, which is a valued partner of the DfES."

Broadcaster Anna Raeburn, who presents a daily show on LBC 97.3, spoke passionately about the importance of literacy and numeracy teaching. She went on to stress how education gives people choices.

LLU+ is frequently commissioned to design and pilot innovative professional development programmes and has produced many successful publications, including most recently, Teaching Basic Literacy to ESOL Learners: A Teacher's Guide.

The Director, Madeline Held MBE, presented a bronze sculpture to LLU+ staff in celebrating the 31st anniversary of LLU+, which started in 1975 as the ILEA response to the Right to Read campaign. The sculpture 'Girl Reading' is by Gerda Rubinstein.