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New Start is a commuinty training centre offering around 40 courses per year. The centre also offers workshop facilities in woodwork and a thriving jobsearch room. In recent years the centre has had several successful group nominations to the Adult Learners' Awards, with one family gaining 'highly commended' in the regional finals.

Most of our online learners study the IT-based subjects. In the past 12 months we have enrolled over 50 students to this method of learning and chart our successes by the amount who have:

gained confidence in using a computer

updating IT skills

completed elements of a qualification

gained full certification

re-enrolled for further training

learnt how to use the Internet for jobsearch

found employment

We have also found that these students have appreciated the freedom allowed through this project. They have not been stuck with rigid course timetables and have been able to access childcare when it has been available. There has also been the option of taking extra hours to accelerate learning.