Centro de Formacion de Personas Adultas “Merce Rodoreda”

Merce Rodoreda Adult School is in Elche, one of the most populated cities of Alicante(E Spain). It’s a second opportunity centre, almost all students(about 1300, all over 18) being rejected from the educational system. They graduate with certificates of:primary, secondary studies, vocational studies in nursery & administration. We offer courses of:English&French, ICT, preparation for different exams, chorus, painting & theatre. This project will give pupils & teachers a chance to learn, develop skills, communicate with other countries, using our ICT resources(computers, projectors& digital blackboards).
Elche’s main industry is shoes manufacturing, producing 42% of all shoes from Spain. Also, 40% its territory is agricultural. But the main productive sector is services, with 73% companies & 20% employees.
Elche has received many immigrants in the last 10 years-11, 4% its population now. They come to our adult centre to get a Spanish title, improve Spanish&integrate in society.
Not many of our students are entrepreneurs, this requiring better preparation. But our school connects them with the commerce chamber&city council & completing their formation. We promote entrepreneurship because 35 %opt for self employment. Through this project we’ll learn how other countries promote entrepreneurship among learners. This is very important in Elche, where 25% companies have disappeared in the last 8 years.
Spain, Elche included, has a big problem with young unemployment-26%(55 %for those under 25). Thus many of our pupils started work in the last”good”years, and now don’t find employment because, among others, they don’t have necessary skills/basic studies.
Unemployment is so critical, many students continue their studies because they can’t find a job. But they aren’t prepared for higher studies requirements. Thus teachers make efforts, which can ease up with optimal ICT use, to answer necessities of different levels pupils.
Adult education is important in preventing unemployment. In fact, some Spanish regions prevent unemployment paying 1000€ to unemployed(18-25 years old)that complete basic studies in adult centres, to prevent them from unemployment, social & economical exclusion.
Our centre is committed to give our learners a wide vision to Europe. This Grundtvig partnership provides transversal contents in subjects which prepare our learners for work, counselling to carry on their studies, introduce them to ICT tools & inspire them for entrepreneurship.