Whilst our original focus was on developing open and distance learning materials, we have always been concerned that many socially disadvantaged and excluded young people from inner city areas reject all conventional methods of learning. They become isolated from the rest of the community with no hope and little future.

We at Educomm believe that there is a way to engage and harness the potential of young people through the medium of sport.

Our mobile learning centres aim to attract young people into some form of training or education by linking with sport, initially with BASKETBALL, offering pathways into professional sport and leisure activities as well as other potential occupations. We are working towards achieving this aim in partnership with other concerned organisations.

The London Towers learning bus made its debut on the London scene on 8th October on Shepherds Bush Green. This was the first in a series of venues arranged by learndirect for a ten week programme of promotional visits. These are intended to promote the lifelong learning opportunities open to everyone from the age of 19 upwards.

This forms the first part of Educomm’s New Opportunities Fund supported dynamic outreach project to engage young people aged 16 to 25 in training and education in areas which are of real interest to them. It aims to attract them through sport, particularly basketball - hence the partnership with London Towers Basketball Team.

Over the next two years, the learning bus will visit all 32 London Boroughs. The bus is actually a smart, air-conditioned trailer, containing a state-of-the-art IT suite with 15 workstations, promotional videos on large plasma screens, and reception and counselling areas.

Two further smaller mobile training units are currently planned.