A new year, a new skill!
| Published: 20th January 2008 19:51 |
It's the New Year and time for a New You. Forget those fly away resolutions to join the gym and get fit - a new study* commissioned by the Learning and Skills Council (LSC) has revealed that 65% of people in the West Midlands region who have started a new job in recent years claim that this is the way to boost self confidence, whilst 51% of people said they feel good about their health since starting a new position and it also helps reduce stress and achieve the new, improved you!
With January a key time to start thinking about the future and planning ahead, this nationwide study shows that more than 30% of West Midlands adults state that learning a new skill or gaining new qualifications is high on their wish list of achievements this year, but that the fear of being too old to learn and money worries are holding them back.
The LSC offers a £30 a week grant to Adult Learners to help overcome these fears. With a third of the population questioned in the study claiming that money is a limiting factor when thinking about going back to college, the Adult Learning Grant (ALG) is designed to help with the extra costs that learning can bring.
Self-esteem expert and psychologist, Dr Gary Wood encourages adults to go out and pursue their dreams this New Year, claiming that the benefits of learning a new skill can give a far reaching boost to all aspects of a person's wellbeing, whatever their age.
He comments: "It really never is too late to learn and it's true that learning a new skill and getting a new job can help boost your self confidence. It may also serve as an inspiration and motivation to invigorate other aspects in your life. So you may also find yourself tackling other personal goals too such as getting fitter and healthier".
Trevor Fellowes, Director of Learner Support of the Learning and Skills Council, says: "The Adult Learning Grant offers learners a helping hand in education, it can be used to help with anything from the cost of books and materials through to childcare costs. The start of a new year is a crucial time to start thinking about your future opportunities and the ALG is there to ease the financial pressures of these important decisions"
If you are thinking about going back to college in September now is a better time than any to start looking for a course to suit the new you. Call 0800 100 900 or visit http://www.directgov.uk.uk/alg and sign up today.
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