Some info that may be of use to you all…..

Please see below for some info that may be of some use to you regarding FREE or LOW COST options in the Learning arena at present. These may be of use for some quick wins in your respective areas.

Open Learning - Please be reminded that the SWT Open Learning Centres are still open and available for your use. For those of you that aren't aware,the centres are based in Waterloo, Basingstoke and Southampton. The SWT Open Learning department offers numerous self-study and online courses in wide array of subjects, including Complimentary Therapies, Supervisory Skills, Counselling and Languages. To make an appointment with an Open Learning Advisor, please call 074-9801 Internal or 01256324413 External.

Next Step -

Helping you get on in work and life. Sometimes it's hard to know what steps to take to move on in work and life. This is where Next Step can help. Next Step is a free service available to every adult in England. It provides information,careers and skills advice that's tailored to you, and has already helped millions of people to improve their working lives. Help is available online, or with qualified careers advisers over the phone or face-to-face. The advisers are specially trained to give individual advice to help you make the right choices about learning and career development.

Next Step can help you:

• Find learning and training that is right for you
• Check your skills and set up an action plan
• Improve your reading, writing and maths
• Progress in your current job
• Build your CV and improve your interview and presentation skills
• Find out about funding to support your learning
• Inform you about the types of childcare and disability support available.

What's my Next Step?

For FREE information and advice about learning and careers contact Next Step. www.direct.gov.uk/nextstep or call 0800 100 900 between 0800-2200, 7 days a week.

Learning can be affordable - There are lots of free courses, grants and funding available to support your learning; If you would like to learn more about using a computer, UK Online Centres offer FREE short courses called Online Basics, to help you get started. Call 0800 771 234 or visit www.ukonlinecentres.com

If you want to improve your Maths and English skills, FREE courses are available nationwide, from entry level literacy and numeracy up to GCSE level. Call 0800 100 900 to find classes in your local area. Or if you've always wanted to learn a language, there are lots of FREE websites and online tools designed to make it easy for you. There is a useful list at http://mse.me/learnlang

Across the UK thousands of people have already signed up for locally run beginners computer courses by calling the BBC's FREE advice line. The courses aim to help people to feel less anxious about computers and the internet and take them through the first essential steps of getting online. Call the FREE BBC adviceline on 08000 150 950 0800-2200, 7 days a week.

For information on government funding visit: www.direct.gov.uk and search for "Financial help for adult learners" to find out what you may be eligible for.

Take your learning to the next level - The Open University (OU) offers hundreds of courses in a range of subjects and levels, giving you the opportunity to fit learning around your lifestyle. If you have childcare commitments, a busy work schedule, difficulties with transport or just prefer learning at home, studying with the OU offers you the flexibility and support to make learning work for you.

The Open University offers some short starter courses that are specifically designed to give you a gradual introduction to learning with the OU. These are called Openings courses, designed for people who may feel nervous about the idea of higher-level study. If you are worried about funding your course, there are some low-cost options and free places available for people who have a low annual household income. Specialist learning support is also available for all learning needs.

To find out more about Openings courses with the Open University visit :

www.open.ac.uk/openings, you can also access FREE learning materials, study units, quizzes and downloads on the Open Learn website to give you a flavour of the courses that are available, visit: www.open.ac.uk/openlearn or speak to an advisor on 0845 300 6090 to find out more on what the Open University can offer.