Belfast Metropolitan College is a partner in the UNESCO Learning City Collective working closely with the lead Belfast City Council. As part of this remit, Belfast Met is strengthening collaboration with community organisations across the city of Belfast, with the aim of bringing lifelong learning right into the heart of the community and developing a culture that celebrates and promotes learning.  
 
Our focus is on ensuring that everyone in our community, whether they are aspiring to get into training or employment, has a pathway for their development and that learning opportunities are embedded in and responsive to local needs. As well as formal qualifications, we are looking at the best ways to deliver a range of informal non-accredited training in communities, designed to improve confidence in taking part in learning, reduce gaps in access, and overcome any initial barriers such as lack of basic skills in IT, employability etc.  
 
Through close engagement with community organisations in each area, we identify the skills and training most needed within those communities to help families and individuals to improve their lives. Working in this collaborative manner allows us to reach those with the greatest barriers to education and training, and those who are most in need.  
 
We are already making an impact through the delivery of Essential Skills, ESOL and Digital Skills Academies in the community.  Details of some of the programmes we have been delivering are provided below.