Free higher level skills days have brought individuals from across the region together, to raise their aspirations and take their careers higher.

Delivered by Truro and Penwith College, the sessions are part of the European Social Fund's Widening Participation through Skills project.

The days provided learners with handy hints and techniques to boost their confidence and academic knowledge before returning to higher level study.

Surrounded by people in a similar situation, these learners took advantage of the specialist tutor and comfortable environment to focus on their individual aspirations and concerns regarding higher level study.

Tasks were designed to support people in key skills including tackling written assignments, presentation skills and academic writing standards.

ESF Project Coordinator Charli Styles was thrilled with the amount of attendees who were eager to participate in the free sessions.

She said: “The uptake that we have seen for our two recent higher level skills days has been fantastic and shows that there is both an appetite and a need for adult learners to access support to prepare them for the transition into higher level study.

“We really hope that for many of these learners, the higher level skills days and the qualifications that the attendees will now progress onto, will enable them to pursue their ambitions and develop their careers.”

An attendee from one of the sessions said: “It was a helpful day to recover those skills learnt in education, but somewhat lost in the workplace.”

Designed for people who are considering a university level course or a higher level professional qualification at level three or above, the days allowed attendees to gain a valuable insight into higher education and how they could build a pathway towards it.

Attendees were also provided with individual support from the ESF Widening Participation through Skills project to re-evaluate their career and learning goals, emphasising that it is never too late to get back into education.

Suzanne Allin, the higher level skills day tutor was very pleased with the outcome of the sessions.

She said: “It's great to see those attending the skills session leave the room at the end of the day feeling more confident about tackling the courses they have chosen to study."

The days also provided an opportunity for attendees to discover what financial support is available for them to access through the ESF project, and to receive advice and guidance about what might be best for them.