Whatever stage you’re at in life, learning new skills could improve your career prospects. Research predicts that in the future there will be fewer jobs for people who lack skills - meaning that skills are likely to become more and more important as time goes on.

Whether you want to gain new skills or qualifications to get that all important job or promotion, or want to learn more about a subject you’re interested in, taking up some learning could be the ideal solution. There’s a huge range of NOCN courses available – everything from improving reading, writing and maths skills to learning a new language or achieving a Diploma.

If you don’t have a job, there are several national schemes to help you find work or get work experience such as New Deal, Pathways to Work and Apprenticeships.

If you have a disability, there are specific schemes to help you find work such as Access to Work and New Deal for Disabled People.

Many adults in the UK have the potential and ability to study for a degree or professional qualification but have been unable to do so because their education was disrupted due to family, financial, social or personal circumstances. If this is you, the Access to HE Diploma qualification has been specially developed to provide you with a second chance to go on to degree or diploma programmes in higher education or in other professional areas. Find out more by visiting our Access to HE pages or see the Access courses on offer in London in our London Access to HE Courses Directory.

Visit your local college to see what courses are available and what your options are. You can also get free, impartial and confidential advice to help you decide on the next steps by calling learndirect. Just call 0800 100 900 or visit the website at www.learndirect-advice.co.uk