Adult education: A guide to continuing learning

Any qualification you hold proves that you have gained the necessary skills and knowledge to have obtained this particular certification. Adult education gives people the chance to gain further qualifications to climb further up the career ladder in their chosen profession or if they choose to begin again with a new one.

Importance and what is available

Why are qualifications important? In some careers, you will need specific qualifications and without them you will not be employed within this field. Other careers require you to have passed some level of educational ability, and although not essential for getting a job, they may well give you a helping hand over another applicant without this certification.
What qualifications are available?
Adult learners have a huge range of courses to choose from and where to gain these new skills. You could learn online or choose instead to attend a course at your local adult learning centre. In the UK, adult learners have the options of GCSE’s, A levels or vocational qualifications twhich are directly related to your job. Skills based qualifications
These qualifications are options for learning which help people to focus on the skills they can use in a range of different situations. Skills for life qualifications help with reading, writing, counting or computer skills. Key skills are essential skills which can assist you with communication or problem solving exercises. They are available across a number of differing levels. Free advice available
Free careers and skills advice is available for adult education training in the UK. Careers advisers are available online or can be contacted via the telephone through your nearest adult education centre.

How to get better qualified

What are the requirements for entering onto a course?
There are many ways of getting yourself onto a course. First, you must check to see if your current qualifications allow you to qualify for a particular course. Some require previous standards before acceptance is granted. In some cases, work experience can be taken into consideration if you lack standard qualifications. If you want to enter as a mature student but have no previous educational certificates, many local colleges offer an access to higher education course. These are available to anyone without qualifications and are an ideal way to begin learning once again. Fear of exams
Many of the courses do not require an exam to receive a qualification. Assessments on many courses are conducted through the completion of coursework or a portfolio. Some courses require that you complete some practical tasks or complete a project over the length of the course.