You're never too old to go back to school

11:37am Wednesday 21st May 2008

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AS over 40 countries celebrate Adult Learners' Week 2008 this week, one Dudley mum proves you are never too old to go back to school.

Forty-five-year-old Karen Miles has finally achieved her life long ambition and is now cutting it' in the hairdressing world, with a little help from the Learning and Skills Council's Adult Learning Grant.

After bringing up her two daughters for over 25-years, her hairdressing dream was always niggling at the back of her mind.

But after getting encouragement from her husband and daughters, Nathalie aged 28 and 12-year-old Lauren, Karen took the plunge and enrolled at Dudley College. She is now about to complete her NVQ3 in Hairdressing - the highest qualification awarded to hairdressers.

She said: "It was my daughter Nathalie who really encouraged me to follow my dream and while I was a bit nervous about going back to college after such a long time away - deep down I thought i've nothing to lose and such a lot to gain.

"It's been hectic juggling studying with family life and sometimes the going was tough. When I got my NVQ level 2 last year, it gave me the professional qualification I needed to start my own mobile hairdressing business. That progression makes you feel great, that you've really achieved something in life."

Karen's studies were funded by the weekly adult learning grant provided by the Learning Skills Council, which helped her buy scissors and text books for the course.

The working mum has been so impressed by the support available to adults returning back to education that she recommends it to anyone who wants to realise their own dreams.

With thoughts of now opening her own salon, Karen said: "I wish I had done it sooner, the hours are flexible around the school day and i've made some great friends and gained a great deal in confidence. You've just got to go for it."

For more information about adult learning grants visit www.direct.gov.uk/alg