THE future of Somerset Skills and Learning (SSL) will be taking a new direction as Somerset County Council’s cabinet members endorsed its transfer to a new Social Enterprise.

As a part of the county council, SSL delivers training courses in a wide range of subjects leading to better education, employment, health and social outcomes in local communities across the county.

From August 1, it will no longer be part of the authority's family, instead it will be run as a Community Interest Company.

All 175 staff will be transferred to the new organisation and services to customers of the SSL Service will be largely unaffected by the change.

Cllr David Hall, deputy leader of Somerset County Council said: “The transfer of Somerset Skills and Learning to the new Social Enterprise ensures that high quality adult and community learning services will continue to be delivered to the people of Somerset for the foreseeable future.

"This new organisation will be better placed to adapt to future changes and also able to enter into more collaborative partnerships with a wide range of organisations. We wish them every success in this new venture.”

Susie Simon-Norris, new chief executive of SSL added: “This is a really exciting opportunity for Somerset Skills and Learning.

"We will continue to deliver high quality training and leisure courses, as well as working with a range of partners and employers across Somerset.

" As an independent Social Enterprise we will be able to increase the range of partners that we work with, and offer a wider range of innovative learning opportunities”

To find out more about SSL and their courses, visit learnsomerset.co.uk or contact 033033-27997.