Satisfy your vocation
WHEN it comes to training for a career, more people are choosing vocational courses. Last year more than three million vocational qualifications were awarded to students, an increase of 117 per cent in the past five years, according to independent education foundation Edge.
Chief executive Andy Powell said: “Vocational qualifications provide people with fantastic opportunities in life, equipping them for the world of work and providing them with the skills so desperately needed by employers.”
The five most popular vocational subjects last year were healthcare, retail, business, construction and engineering.
Schools now offer a wider choice of vocational subjects but the largest course providers are colleges of higher and further education, and private training companies.
Meanwhile, adult summer school courses are organised by universities and colleges, and aim to be short, informative and enjoyable.
Glamorgan Summer School, run by the Centre for Lifelong Learning at the University of Glamorgan in Pontypridd, offers short courses in health and beauty, media and IT, and business and enterprise.
Marketing and communications officer Heather Maber said: “These courses are always very popular.”
Information:
Edge: www.edge.co.uk
Glamorgan Summer School: 01443 482828/ www.glam.ac.uk/summerschool
Hot Courses: www.hotcourses.com
