New research shows that 96% of people out of work don't feel they have the right skills to get a job. And 58% of people in a job say their current skills make them feel they can't get ahead at work.
Here at learndirect we can help you to make your skills count. By gaining nationally recognised qualifications you'll boost your CV to help you get a job or a promotion and improve your skills and confidence in the process.
You can work towards a range of qualifications in maths, English, IT and more at your local centre or sign up for maths and English online. In many cases, thanks to government funding, you could get your qualification for free. We also have a wide range of business, IT and language courses you can buy online.
Scroll down and click one of the tabs below to see how we've helped other learners and how we can help you make your skills count.
32 year old Ag Owusu is a Corporal with the Army. When Ag found out his Ghanaian qualifications weren't valid in England, he came to learndirect to improve his chances of promotion.
Since achieving his nationally recognised qualifications in English, maths and IT, he's been offered the job of Head Chef and improved his confidence as well. "I don't think I'd have been offered Head Chef had I not gained qualifications and brushed up on my IT skills," says the father of two from Tidworth.
"Not only did I feel proud to get my qualifications, overcoming the challenges gave me such a confidence boost. I feel I'm given more respect and my new skills have helped me to get ahead at work," says Ag. "My qualifications didn't cost me anything and I would encourage anyone to go along and make the most of what's available to enhance their career."
So why don't you make your skills count today by going to a centre or signing up online. Or if learndirect has helped you change your life or inspired you to gain a new skill like Ag, we'd love to hear your story. Email us at makeitcount@ufi.com
Lloyd Briggs, 25, from Newcastle, struggled with dyslexia at school and left with no qualifications. Since then he's found it hard to get a good permanent job.
After being off sick with depression for three years, he came to learndirect to improve his job prospects. He now has a full-time job as an IT technician. "The sense of achievement I felt by actually going out and improving my future was immense. I found it so rewarding learning new things", says Lloyd.
Lloyd achieved level 1 and 2 in maths and English before going on to get his ECDL qualification. After Lloyd completed his qualifications, he was offered work experience in the IT department of a school. From this, he was offered a full time job as an IT technician. "Before I went to learndirect, I wouldn't learn about anything I wasn't interested in. Now I'm far more willing to embrace anything that will help me progress in my career."
"Learning with learndirect was a fantastic experience."
So why don't you make your skills count today by going to a centre or signing up online. Or if learndirect has helped you change your life or inspired you to gain a new skill like Lloyd, we'd love to hear your story. Email us at makeitcount@ufi.com.
Our nationally-recognised qualifications can give you the skills to go onto further education, like Aaron Anderson, 37, from Newcastle, who did maths, English and IT. He's now beginning a foundation degree in social care at Newcastle College.
Learning with us isn't like school or college. "I used to play truant from school and I wasn't really interested in education when I was younger," Aaron explained. "I thought I wouldn't be able to do it because I hadn't had any formal education or sat any exams.
Getting a qualification has changed Aaron's life. "The thing I value most about what learndirect has given me is the knowledge that I've gained. I had always been told that I was 'stupid' because I had never had any formal qualifications but I've now proved to myself that that was not the case and that in fact I was quite brainy. It's definitely been the keystone to me enrolling in the social care foundation degree."
So why don't you make your skills count today by going to a centre or signing up online. Or if learndirect has helped you change your life or inspired you to gain a new skill like Aaron, we'd love to hear your story. Email us at makeitcount@ufi.com
Three years ago, Gary Hammill, 43, from Dunstable was suffering from depression and lost his job. Since he started with learndirect, Gary's gained the skills and confidence to turn his life around. "The confidence that learndirect has given me also opened up other opportunities."
Improving his IT skills has boosted Gary's self-confidence and his CV. "I had been out of work for about a year and I wanted to start getting on with day-to-day life. I wasn't very confident on computers, but computing skills are obviously so important for finding employment that I thought I should learn more. I'm much niftier with computers now, which feels good."
Our friendly staff and relaxed environment have helped Gary to feel comfortable with learning. "learndirect has also helped with my self-confidence and improved my social life. I made some really good friends. I'd definitely recommend learndirect to anyone wanting to move on with their life."
So why don't you make your skills count today by going to a centre or signing up online. Or if learndirect has helped you change your life or inspired you to gain a new skill like Gary, we'd love to hear your story. Email us at makeitcount@ufi.com
Stephanie Rose, 41, from Shropshire, has a visual impairment that affects her eyesight and has recently discovered that she's acutely dyslexic. Stephanie always felt her English and maths skills weren't good enough to become a qualified staff nurse.
Stephanie enrolled online with learndirect to get her English and maths Level 2 qualifications. "Leaving school my confidence was low. I was really nervous of English, especially grammar, and of doing any simple maths calculations."
Improving her English and maths skills has benefitted Stephanie's everyday life. "I now use a bigger variety of words." She also explains, "Fractions were something I found particularly hard but now I understand them a lot better."
Stephanie got her maths and English learndirect qualifications in March 2010, then enrolled at the University of Chester for her full staff nursing qualification. She says, "When I was younger, I had a bad experience with learning but I now have the confidence to go to university."
So why don't you make your skills count today by going to a centre or signing up online. Or if learndirect has helped you change your life or inspired you to gain a new skill like Stephanie, we'd love to hear your story. Email us at makeitcount@ufi.com