Survey reveals that 78% prefer learning as an adult

Children all over Ireland head off to school every day, excited by lots of new things to learn.  But what about the Mams and Dads who wave them off?  A survey has revealed that whilst school days are apparently the best days of your life, a massive 78% prefer learning as an adult to learning at school. So perhaps the new school term could be a catalyst for kick-starting your career.

The start of the new school term can mean that many parents finally have a bit more time on their hands.  As they watch their children take the next steps on the education ladder they may feel inspired to consider their own future and career prospects. But going back into education can feel like a scary prospect for many people who have taken a career break to raise a family.  

The online survey of 300 adults, carried out by IT and office skills training specialists Pitman Training Group, also discovered that 47% wish they had tried harder at school and that nearly half of those surveyed (48.4%) left school without the skills necessary to get the job they wanted. 

One of the most exciting things about learning as an adult is the self confidence that it can help you gain.  Some people who come to Pitman Training Centres really didn’t enjoy school and often left with few or no qualifications.  As a result they have low self-esteem and little belief in their own abilities and prospects.  Those who have completely devoted themselves to bringing up a family often put aside their own ambitions; by the time their children are more independent they believe they are completely unemployable

It’s wonderful to see them start to change after only a few sessions of learning about a subject they are interested in. As they begin to develop new skills in a friendly and supportive environment they begin to see that they can achieve far more than they thought possible

Whilst some people who come to us have a clear career path and want to improve their skills to help them get into a specific job, we also work with people who have no idea what they would like to do.  Many have taken a complete break from work to raise a family and the start of the new school year can be a new beginning not just for their kids, but for them too.

Whilst it might sound like a grand claim, updating existing skills, or learning a complete set of new ones, really can give people a new lease of life.

Because Pitman Training qualifications are well-known and well-respected by employers, many students go on to get jobs that they really want.  Not only can people aim for a career which they enjoy – the better qualified they are, the more money they can hope to earn.

Pitman Training specialises in delivering practical, work-focused training designed to help people progress in their chosen career.  From basic PC skills to advanced IT certificates, book-keeping to IT web-design; courses are self-paced allowing students to choose their own study times.  Learners follow audio tuition plus a workbook and a tutor is always on hand to provide help and encouragement.

In addition to short courses Pitman Training offers longer term Diploma programmes.  Each Diploma consists of a range of modules covering a comprehensive range of IT and office skills.  Students can then opt for specialist modules such as legal practice, medical terminology, marketing, book-keeping or accounts.  They will then be fully equipped with the relevant skills needed to get ahead in a range of careers including Legal Secretary, Executive PA, Accounting Technician or Medical Secretary.