Adult learning courses can provide you with a platform to help you get ahead in the workplace. This is true whether you are looking to improve your job prospects, or to ‘up-skill’ for your current job.

Some apprenticeship and training courses even offer a gateway to an entirely new career, including gaining experience in a new industry.

A new course guide is out this summer, allowing you to choose from hundreds of adult learning courses that start this September – ranging from arts and textiles to computing; and from online marketing to training in education and social care.

‘AS PART OF THE COURSE, I AM GETTING WORK EXPERIENCE’

Claudemela Lopes (pictured above), is currently enrolled on an adult learning teaching assistant course and she hopes to take it further.

She said: “I had always been interested in working with children, especially now I have a baby myself. I came across the teaching assistant course after picking up a copy of the prospectus from my local library and thought ‘this would be a great introduction to teaching’.

“As a first-time mum the course has also been really beneficial because I am able to learn about child development and safety. And I also love that, as part of the course, I am getting work experience at a school. I have really enjoyed being able to support both the teacher and children in my placement.”

After finishing this course in September, Claudemela hopes to continue with learning, and progress on to the level 3 teaching assistant course.

‘PLAN TRAINING INTO YOUR LIFESTYLE’

Councillor Jasbir Anand, the council’s cabinet member for business and community services, said: “These courses provide you with multiple paths to achieving formal qualifications and training – from entry level up to advanced level.

“Courses are available in community venues across the borough, in the daytime, evening and weekends. It gives you the chance to plan training into your lifestyle.

“They are also, of course, a great way to find a new hobby or develop an existing interest and make friends.”

‘I AM EXCITED TO SEE WHERE THIS QUALIFICATION WILL TAKE ME’

Sanaz Majidi is enrolled on the same course as Claudemala after working at a university teaching English as a second language, but wanting to look for a career change.

She said: “After having my son I was looking for a career that was able to fit more around my child, and had been applying for supply teaching positions in schools but had been told I didn’t have the qualifications or experience. I’m now more than halfway through the course and am already able to secure supply teaching positions regularly.

“The course has been great because not only are you learning the theory in the classroom but you are also on a school placement two days a week, which gives you the opportunity to apply what you are learning in the classroom.

“I would love to secure a permanent role after finishing this course. I now feel confident that I have both the experience and knowledge and am excited to see where this qualification will be able take me in the future.”

FIND OUT MORE

• You can view the new Ealing Adult Learning course guide online at www.ealing.gov.uk/adultlearning
• You can get more information at the same page (www.ealing.gov.uk/adultlearning), or at www.facebook.com/EalingAdultLearning/
• You can contact the team at adultlearning@ealing.gov.uk or by calling 020 8825 5577.