Webinars For Those Thinking of Returning to Education

SERC’s Adult Education team will be hosting a series of webinars in July and August aimed at adults who are thinking of returning to education.   

The webinars will be hosted online through Microsoft Teams from 10am to 11am each day and will give adult returners the chance to find out what exactly is on offer, what it will be like and common concerns for the adult returner.  

The sessions will cover: Thinking About a Career Change? -  24 July; Returning to Education as an Adult Learner - 7 August; Addressing Adult Concerns About Returning to Education -  21 August  and you can book on at www.serc.ac.uk/events

Ellie Bradley, Deputy Head of School for Access to Education at SERC has been involved in Adult Education for over 20 years said,  “ Returning to Education can be a huge step for someone but we are here to make the first step a little less daunting.  We have a range of courses to suit everyone and support in place for individuals to want to step back into education.  

“When people come to us they are scared about maths and English, school really didn’t work for them for one reason or another, perhaps they didn’t see school as important, or had their family early….we are not hung up on what happened in the past.   Our focus is on this nice fresh start where everyone gets the opportunity to prove to themselves, their families and friends that they can succeed, whether that is getting qualifications to pursue a vocational course in further education or maybe starting a course a university.   Everyone’s journey and aspirations are different.

“For us, it is important that the education is accessible. We structure the timetable around school drop-off and pick-ups and if students need a day off to deal with some crisis at home, we can work around that, so they don’t fall behind.    We are not school, the classes are small, and they are engaging, everyone contributes.  Every day we are proving to the students that learning can be fun.  

She added, “The classes bond very early on and we know that many students make life-long friend whilst making this fresh start.  So if you have thought about coming back to education, I encourage you to attend the webinars to hear what it is all about.”   

Lynsey McLaughlin (from Lisburn) was a hairdresser for 16 years before returning to education through SERC’s Access course.  Lynsey is currently studying Nursing at Queens University Belfast, and was recently shortlisted for a Nursing Times Award for her contribution to Student Nursing and has also been shortlisted for the RCNI Student nurse of the year.  She said, “I always had a desire to go into nursing so after attending a SERC open day I decided now was the time to make the move. After 16 years out of education I was so nervous, but I quickly settled after meeting my tutors. They explained how the course would work but also mentally prepared us for the hard work that was expected. I got great support and advice throughout the course The course worked well for me as I’m a single mother of two - it is flexible and the hours are designed to suit adult returners and family life.” 

The webinars can be accessed from mobile devices, laptops and PCs. You do not need to share your audio or video, but you will get lots of opportunity to ask questions, get the advice you need and contact details of tutors for further discussion. 

Apply now for courses commencing September 2020. Visit www.serc.ac.uk to find out how you could be #BetterOffAtSERC