With the kids settled back at school and routines established, for many of us parents this might be an opportunity to reassess our opportunities and prospects. Maybe the idea of going “back to school” isn’t filled with quite so much sense of dread as it once was.
Perhaps you have been unable to return to your old job post-children and are looking to retrain for a different profession. Or maybe you want to gain a few new life skills, or give yourself another chance at gaining some qualifications. Whatever your reasons for returning to study, west London residents benefit from an excellent adult education service run by Hammersmith and Fulham council. Their Adult Learning and Skills Service has now started a new round of enrolments for courses, from Creative Writing to Car Maintenance, from Humanities to Health and Fitness, starting this autumn.
A common concern for mums considering returning to work is the cost of childcare, especially in the school holidays, which is one of the reasons many are drawn to a new career in the teaching profession. The ALAS offers Levels 2 and 3 Certificates in Supporting Teaching and Learning which covers the key skills and knowledge you will need to get started in a career as a Teaching Assistant. If you’re interested in training to teach in the post-16 education sector, they also offer a Preparing to Teach (PTLLS) City & Guilds qualification. A number of Coaching, Mentoring and Counselling courses are also available.
Languages have become key skills in many professions and if you need to brush up on your linguistics or want to add another impressive feat to your CV, the ALAS is a great place to start. With classes in ten different languages as well Interpreting and British Sign Language, you’ve got plenty to choose from. And if you’re still undecided, you can try one of their free taster sessions that include advice and assessment to help you pick the right class and level. These sessions are also available for a large number of their Arts and Cookery programmes.
But what else can the ALAS offer you that other education services can’t? Location, location, location. With most classes situated in the Macbeth Centre, just off King Street in the centre of Hammersmith, they are easily accessible by foot or public transport. And many of the classes take place at a variety of times, including evenings and weekends, so you’ll be sure to find one that fits into your routine. But for many of us, cost is an important factor when deciding whether to take that step back into the field of learning–qualifications are a big commitment in terms of money as well as time, which this local service realises. You may be entitled to concession rates on a number of courses if you have been a UK or EU resident for three years and claim certain benefits; you might even be entitled to free qualification courses. Contact the ALAS for further information about fees.
So banish those back-to-school blues and embrace the new opportunities the start of the academic year can give you. Find out more by visiting www.hfals.co.uk or calling 0845 839 7912.
About the author:
Anna Scott is a freelance writer, parent, procrastinator and Hammersmith resident. When she’s not attempting to write her first young adult fiction novel, in between reading and reviewing the odd book or two, she can be found chasing after her two little girls. In a previous life she was a politics graduate and wine trade lackey. Head over to Anna Scott Jots to find out more…
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