A NEW study suggests that over 60 per centof adult students are intending to make a major career change within two years.
The study, by distance learning provider, Learning Curve, found that over 190 of 300 students questioned were planning a career change within the next two years. The most common reasons given for change of career were lack of employment opportunities in their current job, redundancy, or a desire for a complete change of lifestyle.
Director of Studies, Linda Pollitt, notes: “Many of our current students work in industries or professions that have been badly hit over the last few years – some are telling us that jobs are much harder to find, while others are no longer enjoying their jobs because cutbacks have created a lot of extra pressure in their workplace.
“Students are deciding to take positive action by retraining and planning for a new career.
“Often, it’s also about rediscovering their enthusiasm and changing their whole lifestyle, as well as retraining for a career doing something they love!
“Home study is an ideal option because it allows students to retrain whilst juggling work and family commitments too.”
Student, Clare’s experience is typical.
She explains: “I’ve worked as a nurse for over 15 years and for most of that time I’ve loved my job, but recently the shifts and cutbacks have really been getting me down.
“I decided it was time to do something about it. I can’t afford to go back to college full-time, so home study was a good compromise.”
Clare is retraining as a life coach with Learning Curve.
Other popular areas among retraining students include horticulture, gardening, interior design and garden design.
ENDS
Notes for Editors:
1. A similar study completed by Learning Curve in 2006 found that of 250 adult learners questions, only 37 per cent were planning a career change within two years.
2. The study asked 300 students about their reasons for studying with Learning Curve. Participants were drawn from Learning Curve students, with 76 per cent of participants being in the age group 30 – 55 years old (across all Learning Curve students, 70 per cent are in this age group). Students were invited to participate randomly, and the first 300 volunteers took part in the study. The study was completed by telephone and email. For more information on this study, please contact Jenny Walker at Learning Curve.
3. Learning Curve is a leading distance learning provider based in the UK and working with students across the globe. Learning Curve offers home study courses across a range of subject areas and is accredited as a training provider by the Open and Distance Learning Quality Council.
Contacts:
Learning Curve – www.learning-curve.org
01896 860661
ODLQC – www.odlqc.org.uk
MEDIA RELEASE posted by Learning Curve. You too can post media releases (aka press releases) on allmediascotland.com. For more information, email here.
Contact: Jenny Walker
Phone: 01896 860661
Email: edesk@learning-curve.org
Website: http://www.learning-curve.org
