Case Studies...
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A Man's World? Women as Plumbers and Electricians
How women can become plumbers and electricians. Training and qualifications needed. How to break into these male-dominated trades and survive. What qualities make women stand out as plumbers and elect...
Adult Dyslexia Assessment Explained
How to determine if you are suffering from adult dyslexia and what is involved in a dyslexia screening and assessment programme....
Adult Dyslexia: Some Common Questions
Read our common questions about Adult Dyslexia to find out more about its symptoms, diagnosis and treatment....
Adult Learners' Week
Want to try something new but don't know where to get the information and how to start, or daunted by the range of courses available and not sure what to choose? Adult Learner’s Week is an opportunity...
Adult Learning and Disabilities
Adult learning provides everyone with opportunities to advance themselves in their careers, gain new skills and meet new people, and should be open to everyone, whatever their abilities or disabilitie...
Aim Higher With Adult Learning
A look at how starting higher education as a mature student can make big changes. Also, a look into what you will need to consider when starting higher education....
Are You Ever Too Old to Study?
Babies and young children absorb information with amazing ease, and it gets harder (or it certainly seems to) as people get older. So is there any point trying to study as an adult, and especially as ...
Arts & Crafts Courses for the Home
Examples of just some of the arts and crafts you can do at night school or at the weekend. How you can take the knowledge and skills you’ve learned and put them to good use in several different ways a...
Basic Computing Skills for Work
How even the most basic computing skills goes way beyond having the ability to look at a few pages on the internet or sending a simple e-mail via Hotmail or Yahoo. Why it’s important to take a course ...
Become A Gym Instructor
The two routes in to becoming a fully qualified gym or fitness instructor. Achieving certification through qualifications only or via a work based training route. Further development and training you...
Become A Vet's Assistant
How becoming a vet’s nurse or assistant can either be achieved through on work based experience combined with vocational training or via a degree course which includes some work placements. How the la...
Become An Effective Communicator
Techniques you can learn and adopt in order to become an effective communicator. How effective communication always starts with being a good listener and the importance of things like understanding bo...
Become An Effective Leader
The skills and personal qualities that go into making somebody an effective leader. How it’s important to have a strategy that the whole team understands and one in which everybody knows what part the...
Breaking the Negative Cycle of Self-Doubt
Breaking the negative cycle of self-doubt is about focusing on the positive and recognising your achievements....
Case Study: I Changed Careers in My 50s
When Christina's children went to university she decided it was time for some study of her own....
Case Study: I Improved My Literacy Skills to Help My Kids
Samantha's literacy skills were very poor but her children inspired her to start learning again....
Checklist: Find the Right Course as a Mature Student
Finding the course that is right for you as a mature student is key to getting the most out of your studies....
Checklist: Finding Funding to Help You Learn
Follow our checklist to find out what funding you are eligible for to help you learn....
Cognitive Differences Between Adults & Children
The different cognitive differences between the way in which adults and children learn. How children do better than adults in exercises such as memorisation and learning by rote but how adults use the...
Communication Technologies Used In Distance Learning
How communication technology has revolutionised distance learning and has both facilitated it and broadened its appeal....
Considerations when Changing Career
The more common considerations you’ll need to think about if you’re thinking about changing your career. How people change career for different reasons and why you need to evaluate all of the issues t...
Coping with Dyslexia at Work
Coping with dyslexia at work and some of the useful tips to help you manage your workload more easily....
Coping With Exams
One of the things many people returning to learning worry about is the prospect of exams, especially if they have had bad experiences when they were younger. Some adult learning courses don’t involve ...
Digital Photography and Video Courses
Focusing on the short intensive courses which are often offered locally at colleges and through private individuals in digital photography. What you can expect to learn and some of the different techn...
Dressmaking and Textile Courses for the Home
Some of the reasons why people choose to make their own clothes and how for many it leads to them setting up in business on a small scale or to offer an alterations and repair service....
Dyslexia Treatment for Adults
Some of the ways which can help you treat your dyslexia and how your battle to overcome it can be fought in several ways....
Dyslexia: Special Education and Training
Some of the different kinds of specialist programmes and techniques which can help dyslexia sufferers cope better with their difficulties and where you can find help and advice....
Factors Influencing Adults Returning To Learning
Some of the more common factors which influence adults to return to learn, how it’s important to understand your own motivational reasons behind your decision and how tutors, too, need to understand t...
Finding Childcare When Studying
A look at what types of childcare are available for adult learners with children. And, a look into the different types of studying available....
Fit Adult Learning Around Your Working Life
The increasing number of ways in which you can fit adult learning around your working life and other family commitments. How technological advancements have enabled this and the increased flexibility ...
Funding Adult Education: Adult Learning Grant
How an adult learning grant can help with the costs of books and travel up to a maximum of £30 per week if you are in full or part time work and are looking to undertake your first NVQ level 2 or 3 co...
Funding Adult Education: Career Development Loan
How a Career Development Loan is designed to help you obtain skills, training and qualifications to further your career. How it is run and administered and what the money can be used for as well as un...
Getting Training At Work
The different kinds of opportunities for you to get training whilst at work. How many companies will combine in house training with external training in order to increase their employees’ knowledge an...
Holistic And Complementary Therapy Courses
The growth in popularity of holistic and complementary therapy courses and the governing bodies which run such courses. How only certain areas of practice are regulated at present but how that is like...
Home Making and Design Courses
How there are a vast range of courses available in home making and interior design and how you’re only limited by what you want to achieve. The types of courses available and the kind of things you wi...
How Can Learning Improve a Community?
Most people look at learning as a way to increase their own skills and experience, but learning can help a community, not only by making practical changes, but also by bringing people closer together....
How to Choose Between Different Online Study Providers
How to choose between different online distance learning providers and the types of issues you’ll need to consider as well as questions you should be asking...
How to Find the Right Career for You
A look at how to change career, and how to choose which career is right for you....
How To Stay Motivated When Distance Learning
Ways in which you can stay motivated when undertaking an online distance learning course. How it’s all about planning, goal setting and taking advantage of communication technologies to maintain a hea...
Improve Your Adult Literacy Skills
How improving your adult literacy skills will open up doors to you and break down barriers both on a professional and personal level. How you can miss out on so many opportunities if you do not have b...
Improve Your Adult Numeracy Skills
How we use numeracy skills to one extent or another everyday of our lives and often without even realising it. The importance of having basic numeracy skills and the types of things you can expect to ...
Improve Your DIY Skills
How undertaking a short DIY course can equip you with the basic skills you need to carry out various home improvements yourself which could save you thousands of pounds over the long term when conside...
Improving Your Basic Skills With Distance Learning
A look at what basic skills courses are, the different types and where to find them....
Improving Your Graphic Design Skills
The importance of being able to use all of the most common graphic design software programs as well as being aware of all of the latest technological developments if you want to improve your graphic d...
Interview Techniques To Come Across Well
How to adopt certain techniques in interviews and to adjust them to suit the style of the interview proceedings. Things to look out for and things which you should be trying to achieve. Why it’s impor...
Learning as a Single Parent
Tackling a course as a single parent is a big step to make, but it can be rewarding, both for you and for the family....
Learning as an Adult With a Disability
A look at how people with disabilities can still access distance learning....
Learning For Migrant Workers
How it’s important that migrant workers are able to take advantage of learning opportunities in the UK and how the ability to speak and to understand the English language is fundamental in order for t...
Learning For Pleasure as an Adult
How many adults choose to learn for pleasure as opposed to learning to pursue any type of formal qualifications or to enhance their career. How it’s often the gateway to getting back on track for many...
Learning How to Learn
Many people who are adult learners haven’t studied anything since they left school, and find the whole idea of ‘learning’ a bit daunting. Learning is just like any other skill - it’s possible to learn...
Learning Languages at Different Levels
Even though English (whether it’s British English, American English, or any other variant) is pretty much an international language now, it is still really important to have at least a grasp of other ...
Learning Relaxation Techniques
Some of the relaxation techniques you can learn for self improvement. How regularly adopting one or more relaxation techniques and integrating that into your daily routine can help to reduce anxiety a...
Learning Through an Apprenticeship
How apprenticeships are often the preferred choice for many people in terms of furthering their learning as it might be the traditional way of entering a particular career sector and it also gives you...
Learning Through Voluntary Work
How you cannot fail to learn about yourself, other people and the world around you should you decide to become a volunteer. How volunteering also gives you the opportunity to undertake more formal tra...
Learning Together as a Family
It’s always easier to learn something with someone else, rather than by yourself, and who better to learn with than your family!...
Learning Together: Setting Up a Reading Group
A reading group is a great way to read new books and learn about literature, without joining a formal class. Reading groups are also a fun way to meet new people who are interested in books. If there ...
Life As A Full-Time Mature Student
How a positive attitude, a willingness to embrace change and an acceptance of people of all ages and cultural backgrounds and a commitment to learn will probably be the key ingredients in adapting to ...
Life Coaching Yourself
How you can become your own life coach if you have enough self discipline. Setting your own goals and adopting a positive attitude. Why it’s important to take care of yourself and to reward yourself f...
Managing Your Time At Work Effectively
How to maximise your efficiency by effective time management. How prioritising workload and drawing up a schedule will help you to manage your time more effectively at work as well as analysing your c...
Managing Your Time on a Distance Learning Course
How to manage your time effectively on a distance learning course. Ways in which you can use the flexibility of such a course to your advantage and how it’s important to organise your time and get the...
Mind Mapping for Work
How mind mapping is a useful tool which can be used in a variety of work situations....
On the Job Training - Pros and Cons
How companies and the workforce can benefit from on the job training but why there are advantages and disadvantages to this kind of training and why companies need to be aware of the pitfalls if they ...
Overcoming The 'Age Barrier' In Interviews
How to overcome issues surrounding the ‘age barrier’ in interviews. How it’s your appearance and attitude that will count and how to turn the tables on the stereotypical impressions that many intervie...
Preventing Reoffending Through Adult Learning
Many people who are in prison have not received a good education. Whilst in prison, there are opportunities to learn, and this can reduce the chances of reoffending and improve people’s quality of lif...
Producing A Good CV When Changing Career
Various techniques you can adopt to tailor a CV when you’re looking to make a career change. What to emphasise and the importance of relating your existing skills, personal qualities, work experience ...
Skills to Improve Your Memory
One of the key things in learning a new subject is being able to remember things, and sometimes there seems to be so much to remember, especially as exams are looming. Try a few of these skills, hints...
Starting a Distance Learning Course
How distance learning and correspondence courses are not new concepts, some having been around for almost 40 years but how the internet has revolutionised the ways by which we can learn from a remote ...
Starting Your Own Business After Distance Learning
A look at how to start a new business after distance learning; the things you will need to know and potential training....
Taking a Mind, Body & Soul Course
How mind, body and soul courses are often the catalyst for helping people who are on their own journey of self-discovery reach the next level in their own personal development....
Taking Pet Obedience Classes
The type of things you may wish to consider when choosing a dog obedience class. How your own relationship with your pet and their own behaviour will often determine whether a group setting or one-to-...
Taking the Leap Into Adult Learning
A look at how a leap into adult learning can change your life....
Teaching Adults as a Career
Teaching adults can be as much of a career as teaching children, and can be either full- or part-time. People can teach academic subjects that lead to GCSEs, A levels and degrees; work-related subject...
Teaching Yourself Using Books and Cds
Rather than joining an evening class or a college course, it is possible to study a wide range of subjects from home using books, CDs and CD-ROMs, and even online using websites. This might be more co...
Teaching Yourself: Can it Work?
Sometimes, fitting a course into everyday life just seems impossible - it’s hard to get the time off for daytime courses, or childcare makes evening courses impossible. Even online courses can sometim...
The Adult Learning Grant
Not everyone manages to get all the qualifications he or she wants or needs at school, and starting to learn again as an adult may be the perfect way to top these up, perhaps to get a job in the first...
The Best Way to Revise
Exams are a difficult time for everyone, especially people who are new to adult learning, but one of the best ways to take the stress out of the exams is to prepare properly. Here are a few hints and ...
The Different Learning Styles Explained
How each of us tend to adopt a particular learning style which we can relate to better and how learning styles are basically broken down into 3 distinctive types....
The Impact Of Adult Dyslexia
The impact and effects of dyslexia upon adult sufferers. Some of the more basic literacy and numeracy problems you might encounter and how that might impact upon everyday life....
The Myths About Distance Learning and Online Study
Some of the myths surrounding online distance learning programmes and how to counteract those myths....
The Pros And Cons Of Online Study
The pros and cons of online study and why some people fare better at it than others....
Training For A Career In Business
The type of training you’d need to pursue a career in business, finance or administration. How apart from basic literacy, numeracy and computer skills, you’d generally need GCSEs or A levels and may a...
Training For A Career In Catering & Hospitality
How the scale of the different types of jobs and career paths in catering and hospitality is immense and the reasons highly skilled people are always in demand. The scope of careers you could pursue w...
Training For A Career In Construction
The various roles and types of training you would need to pursue a career within the building and construction industry. How apprenticeships and other forms of vocational training are usually required...
Training For A Career In Engineering
How there is a great demand for highly skilled engineers across all sectors both in the UK and opportunities to work abroad. The type of qualifications and routes into engineering you may wish to cons...
Training For A Career In Environmental Projects
How qualified people will always be in demand in careers relating to environmental concerns due to the increased emphasis and urgency on tackling some of the major issues relating to the destruction o...
Training For A Career In Fashion & Beauty
How constant innovation and the demand for new fashion and beauty treatments makes the fashion and beauty industry a thriving sector in which career prospects continue to flourish....
Training For A Career In Healthcare
The diversity of career paths that can be taken within the healthcare industry and the range of qualifications available. How some of the higher level occupations can mean many years of training befor...
Training For A Career In IT
How ICT has revolutionised society and the way we do business globally these days that the extent of the technological breakthroughs which continue apace will mean the demand for skilled IT profession...
Training For A Career In Public Services
How roles within the public services sector encompass a broad range of career options all aimed at serving the community to some degree or another. How training, both academic and vocational, will var...
Training For A Career In Sport & Leisure
How events like hosting Olympics in 2012 alongside the Government’s commitment to tackling the problem of rising obesity in the UK population has put sports on the map in terms of its growth as a pros...
Training For A Career In The Media
How the creative media and arts professions are extremely competitive and often rely upon luck and timing as well as commitment and perseverance just as much as qualifications in many instances....
Training For A Career In Travel & Tourism
How many people are attracted to careers in travel and tourism and, whilst the opportunities and scope of work is vast, the better qualified you are, the more opportunity you’ll have of earning a dece...
Training in Environmental and Eco Skills
The environmental and eco movement continues to grow, and people are becoming more and more knowledgeable about the planet and the climate, and how important environmental skills are to everyone. Ther...
Undertaking a Writing Course
The range of writing courses available to adults and some of the different motivations behind why people might wish to embark upon a writing course....
Vocational Qualifications and Changing Career
Feeling stuck in a job and want to make a complete fresh start, but not sure how? Looking for a job but not got the experience that employers are looking for? Vocational courses can be a good way to g...
What are Adult Dyslexia Symptoms?
Some common symptoms of dyslexia and the importance of recognising them and to seek an assessment to determine whether or not you’re a sufferer as well as where you can find help in overcoming your di...
What Are NVQs?
How NVQs offer vocational training and equip people with the skills and tools necessary in order for them to become more employable within a specific job role or to further their career advancement or...
What Causes Adult Dyslexia?
How the causes of dyslexia cannot be firmly established but some of the theories surrounding what might cause it....
What Is Vocational Learning?
A broad definition of vocational learning and how it has opened up so many doors to people who might otherwise have struggled to realise their full potential in the world of work....
What Levels Can You Study At?
exams, tests, qualificatsions, GCSE, A level, BTEC, OCR National, HNC, HND, degree...
Why Go Back Into Learning?
Going back into learning can be daunting, especially if it’s been a long time since the last visit to the classroom or the examination hall. But it doesn’t have to be scary - teaching styles for adult...
Why Study From Home And Will It Suit Me?
Some of the primary reasons why home study programmes are ideal opportunities to learn for certain people and the type of issues you need to consider to determine whether or not it’s right for you....