If your idea of learning something new involves battling through the rush hour after a hard day, sitting in a dreary classroom for a couple of hours and drinking very bad coffee – think again.
Lifelong learning has had a makeover that would make Trinny and Susannah proud.
Getting to grips with a new language or new hobby couldn’t be easier. You can learn a new skill at a time, place, pace and style to suit you and your lifestyle.
All you have to do is decide what you want to learn, where you want to learn and how you want to learn. And learndirect scotland can help. It has information on thousands of courses – from archery to yoga, from bee-keeping to welding.
If you don’t know whether you want to try truck driving or Tai Chi, then contact the learndirect scotland helpline for more information. Our highly trained and helpful advisers are on hand to give you the details you need to make the right choices about learning.
They can also give advice on where to learn. There are over 1,250 learning providers registered with learndirect scotland offering courses in more than 4,000 venues. You can learn in one of more than 500 branded learning centres from the Shetlands to Stranraer and lots of places in between. Check with the helpline to find one near you.
The helpline also has information about courses available in universities, colleges and private training providers. You can call the helpline free on 0808 100 9000.
Travelling to a college or a learning centre may not be an option that fits your personal timetable, which is where online learning comes into its own. Learning is literally a click away and can be done where and when it suits you best. There are a huge number of courses which can be completed online and learning can be done at your own pace.
Not everyone learns in the same way or at the same pace. One thing is certain, though - people learn better if they are the ones making the choices about how they do it.