This is the sign you have been waiting for…
Women returning to education; A journey of transformation and self-discovery…
Have you ever considered returning to education? But unsure if a full-time college or university experience is right for you? Have you considered opting for a course that is designed to fit around your existing responsibilities and commitments? A course that is based on enhancing the life skills you already have?
We have all heard the term lifelong learning, but how many of us truly understand what is meant by this concept? We frequently see the term being banded around social media, appearing in the news headlines, or seen as educational jargon. But what does it mean to you and I? Definitions coexist across communities, often leading to confusion, carrying with it connotations of school and recollections of arduous studying. There are very few of us who recall fond memories of school. However, this does not mean we should ignore the fact that upgrading our skills, knowledge and competencies throughout our adult lives, underpins our wellbeing. Modern life can be a challenge at the best of times, the effects of globalisation and the fast-paced changes we witness across our personal and professional landscapes inevitably lead us to confront the changes before us. The ability to adapt to the ever-changing world we occupy entails the capacity to master and tweak the skills we already possess. If you are a parent, contemplating returning to work, or perhaps already working, but feel your passion lies elsewhere, vocational training is an option for you to consider.
“Our planet will not survive if it’s not a learning planet, and sustainable development will be achieved by learning through life”
Walters, 2010
We tend to spend much of our adult lives thinking we are too old to return to education, or the timing isn’t right, or perhaps our memories of school conjure feelings of unrest. Whatever the reason, it is never too late, we are never too old and there is never the right time to make a change. If there is one thing that Covid-19 and the instability 2020 has demonstrated, is that the simple things in life do matter and this includes self-development. Vocational training is not school, rather it is a journey of self-discovery, reawakening your skills, competencies whilst constructing new ideas and interpreting new knowledge. It is the opportunity to join a learning community, to be involved with sharing lived experiences and harnessing your opportunity for growth. It is the second chance to update and refresh your professional prospects. Vocational training places you the student at the heart of the programme, where diversity and individuality are celebrated.
Avanza Academy is the result of the coming of minds, of a group of individuals at different stages in life, having different academic backgrounds and professional experiences. It is a centre of excellence for the development of one’s knowledge, career and education. It offers a range of courses for anyone wishing to re-engage with learning and succeed in life. Our portfolio of courses is recognised and accredited by the National Commission for Further and Higher Education (NCFHE) local authority. After a successful first year, our Award in Early Years Development, Education and Care (MQF Level4) will be starting once again next month. This is an opportunity to make a real difference, working alongside our youngest citizens whilst providing optimal spaces for development and learning. So, why not take a leap of faith and discover something new this year?