Sign up to learning this September Monday, August 16, 2010 - 09:28

Taking up learning this September can give adults a better chance of keeping their job or starting a new career or business. Sign Up Now is encouraging all adults to sign up to learning and see how it can transform their lives for the better.

Deborah Stanley-Jones, aged 48, from Bristol, started a new career after taking a six week taster course in plumbing, having been made redundant from Woolworths where she worked for 31 years. Seizing the opportunity to embark on a new career, Deborah progressed to a Level 2 basic plumbing course, sought out some hands-on experience and was finally able to set up her own business, ‘Plumbher', in January 2010.

Deborah said:

"There were times when I questioned my own capability, but with help, support and determination it taught me never to give up!"

Mark Beaton, aged 44, from Brixton, used learning to fight his way back from mental and physical illness, homelessness and unemployment. Even as he struggled to gain new skills and build the self-confidence he had lacked all his life, Mark was diagnosed with carpal tunnel syndrome. Undeterred, on recovery from an operation, he took a Level 3 Diploma in Body Massage, graduated with distinctions and then completed his Sports Massage Diploma in the same year. He came off benefits and got advice and training to set-up his own business.

Mark said:

"Adult education has not only given me the chance for a career change, at 44, it has given me a total life change."

Gill Pinnock, aged 40, from Leicester, progressed from Sales Assistant to Manager at Clinton Cards, after gaining confidence and the required skills through learning at work. Gill never considered promotion before, but when her Manager suddenly quit the store she rose to the challenge by taking an NVQ Level 3 and a Management Advanced Apprenticeship in Retail. As Manager she has recruited nine new employees and promotes vocational training to all her staff, some of whom have gone on to take qualifications themselves.

Gill said:

"When I was recruiting in store, it helped me to know what people I needed, how to put them in the right places and how to treat everyone fairly and understand their individual needs. One of the greatest things it has taught me is the importance of managing myself better - ‘working smarter' helps me to manage a team successfully."

Adults can choose from a range of courses to improve their skills, their health and their social lives. The vast selection of courses on offer are showcased at local colleges, adult education centres, museums, libraries and other community and voluntary organisations nationwide. People can also find out what's on offer near them by calling the Next Step careers service free on 0800 100 900.

Richard Crabb, Project Officer for Sign Up Now at NIACE, said:

"Learning changes lives, your health improves, you meet new people and you get to discover more about something you're interested in. But perhaps most importantly, especially with so much uncertainty in the job market, learning can help you with your career, as Deborah's, Mark's and Gill's story illustrate."

Adult education has not only given me the chance for a career change, at 44, it has given me a total life change.

Mark Beaton

"There are loads of opportunities to learn at a time and a place to suit you. Whatever it is you want to learn, for whatever reason, now is the right time to find out what's on offer. Get in touch with the Next Step careers service - www.direct.gov.uk/nextstep - or call them on 0800 100 900 and see what's available where you are."

As part of this year's Sign Up Now, NIACE is working with UnLtd - a charity supporting social entrepreneurs - to offer an individual or group the chance to receive a Learning In Communities Award to set up a project which gets adults in the community back into learning. Innovative ideas can be entered for a chance to win up to £5,000 and a complete support package to get the project off the ground. Applications can be submitted from 1 September 2010 and more information can be found at www.unltd.org.uk/learningincommunities.

Amongst the many activities happening up and down the country, Age UK's itea and biscuits week (20 - 26 September 2010) gives older people the chance to get a taste for what digital technologies - like computers, internet, mobile phones and digital cameras - can offer them and how they can learn more in their area. To take part in the week and for more information, visit www.ageuk.org.uk/itea-and-biscuits.