If you’re determined to stick to your resolutions this year and meet your goals, you can get started with your preparations now at EKC Training.

I need to upskill to get a new job or a promotion

If career growth is your goal, the new year is the perfect time to gain new qualifications or brush up on your skills. Employers are increasingly looking for candidates with expertise in areas like leadership or technical trades.

Your local college offers short courses that fit into your schedule, helping you boost your CV in just a few weeks. Whether you’re aiming for a promotion, or you’re transitioning into a new industry, our courses are tailored to give you practical, job-ready skills.

Adult Courses are delivered by East Kent Colleges Group in Ashford, Broadstairs, Canterbury, Dover and Folkestone.

You could try:
- Computing software courses in Microsoft Excel, Word and PowerPoint
- Bookkeeping or Computerised Accounts
- Fast Track GCSE courses
- Maths and English qualifications.

I want to add some variety to my life and pick up a new hobby

Learning doesn’t always have to be about advancing your career – it can be about finding joy and creativity in your everyday life.

Have you always wanted to learn how to spin a pottery wheel, or design and sew a new outfit, or improve your cooking skills?

Hobby-focused courses are a great way to meet like-minded people, de-stress and discover something new about yourself.

You could try:
- Creative courses including Sewing, Printmaking, Ceramics, Stone Carving
- Graphic Design courses
- Cookery courses

I want to learn how to do something new

Ever thought about learning a skill that’s completely outside your comfort zone?

Whether it’s mastering essential DIY skills so that you can fix things in your own home or learning how to do nails or hair. Simply trying something new can improve your own day-to-day life and even open up the door to a new career.

You could try:
- DIY for Beginners
- Bricklaying, Plastering and Painting and Decorating courses

How do I get started?

Preparation starts today. You can browse adult courses at a college near you or by visiting the website.

Applications are open now, so you can hit the ground running in the new year and start working towards your self-improvement goals, whatever they are.

Hear what our learners have to say:

Joanne Timmins is currently studying Level 3 Massage Therapy at EKC Folkestone College.

When asked about her College experience, she said: “I’m really interested in alternative therapies so this course sounded perfect for me. I’d love to become self-employed, offering services at times that suit me and work around childcare.

“Stepping out of my comfort zone and returning to College has been really rewarding. I look forward to coming into College each week, which wasn’t the case when I was at school. I was nervous to return but the College and my course have far exceeded my expectations. So much in fact that I’m looking to return to complete the Level 4 course.”

Sandesh Rai, who studies AAT Level 3 Diploma in Accounting at EKC Ashford College, has made remarkable progress in his educational journey, having progressed through from Level 1 to Level 3.

He says: “Studying at EKC Ashford College has given me a new appreciation for education. I’ve worked incredibly hard, but having the right guidance has made my efforts far more effective.

“I previously studied Accounting elsewhere, but the courses were incredibly difficult because of the lack of effective support. When I started AAT here in Ashford, the difference was remarkable. The teaching style here has been a game-changer for me. My Lecturer ensures we’re equipped with everything we need to succeed.”

Melynda Phelan studied the Access to Healthcare Professions course at EKC Canterbury College, with the hopes of pursuing a career in Nursing.

When asked about her motivations for returning to education, she commented: “I had always wanted to pursue a career in Nursing but life got in the way. It’s something I’ve always wanted to do and now my children are at school I have the time to commit to returning to education.

“The accessibility of the course is great. I get to study around other life commitments and on a part-time timetable. Most of my class are of a similar age, with families and other work commitments so the lesson times work great for us.

We generally start slightly later and earlier than most ‘school days’, so we can still do the school run or run necessary errands between class and home-life. The college is very accommodating for those of us with additional commitments.”