Bolton College is once again encouraging adults to return to education and discover new learning pathways as part of Adult Learners’ Week, which takes place between 18th to 24th May 2013.

The College is set to host a range of events with its partners – including Bolton Council and Bolton University – to help enhance the employability and personal offerings of local adults.

There will be more than 15 free, or subsidised, activities and events that will help adults to learn a new skill, including: life-drawing art classes, maths and English workshops, health and wellbeing events, internet for beginners classes and family fun days. Drop in sessions for Higher Education courses will also be made available at Bolton College’s Deane Road campus.

Marie Gilluley, Principal of Bolton College, said: “We always look forward to celebrating Adult Learners’ Week. It’s a great way to encourage local people back into education, when, more often than not, they might feel that their days of studying have passed. This week highlights the vast range of opportunities that are available to adults in Bolton, whether it’s simply trying something new, or developing a new career path.

“We have countless inspirational success stories with adult learners at Bolton College. Many individuals have come to us with no formal qualifications, and progressed onto university and employment. The event really shows that you’re never too late to learn something new!”

In the same way as applies for Degrees in Higher Education, loans are now available to encourage adults to progress to higher levels of Further Education. The 24 + Advanced Learning Loan will help learners, aged 24 or above, pay the fees for further education courses, including Level 3 qualifications (the vocational equivalent to A Levels), Level 4 courses, Access to Higher Education Diplomas and Higher Apprenticeships. These loans are set at a low interest rate and also require no credit checks. Repayments for the loans are also not made until the learner’s income is over £21,000 a year.

 Marie continues: “The introduction of the recent 24 + Advanced Learning Loans has been a major advantage for adult learners. The loans will enable many adults to progress to higher levels with their education, and provide local people with better access to jobs and future careers.”

For more information on activities taking place throughout Adult Learners’ Week, please visit: www.learninginbolton.org.uk. For further details on courses available at Bolton College and the 24 + Advanced Learning Loans, please visit:www.boltoncollege.ac.uk