Eunice Thomas-Pennant, Mek Mehmet-Yesil and Natalie Galloway.
With the kids back at school after the summer holidays, now is the perfect time as a mum to also head back to the classroom.
Whether you’re looking to improve your career prospects or just want to try something new, the College of Haringey, Enfield and North East London (CONEL) has places still available on courses starting this September.
These include courses in Health and Social Care, Childcare, Hairdressing and Beauty Therapy, Sport and Fitness, Public Services, Accounting and Travel and Tourism.
Eunice Thomas-Pennant decided to train as a hairdresser at CONEL in her late 40s and now works as a student mentor at the College’s commercial salon in Tottenham.
She said: “The training was brilliant. I learnt a lot, particularly when it came to colouring hair. My tutors encouraged me and were very supportive.”
“When I started at CONEL, people were asking me, ‘Why are you going to college at your age?’, but I have shown them that it’s never too late to achieve your dreams.”
For those wanting to head to university the College also has places left on an Access to Higher Education Diploma in Social Work.
Mek Mehmet-Yesil, 47, who completed an Access to Nursing course this summer, said: “The teaching at CONEL has been fantastic.
“I’ve had the most amazing tutors who’ve given me so much encouragement to do well. I’m feeling really good about my future.”
Loans are available to cover tuition fees on all vocational courses, which do not have to be paid back until you are earning over £21,000 a year.
Access courses are free to students aged 19 to 23 if it is their first Level 3 course, with loans for those aged 24 and over written off if they progress to university to study the same field.
CONEL also runs various free and professional courses in Hairdressing and Beauty Therapy, Construction, Engineering and IT throughout the year.
For Natalie Galloway, 24, the decision to do a bricklaying course was not just about learning new skills.
“You can save money if you need a job done when you can do it yourself, so it’s more financially beneficial,” she said.