School might be out for summer, but thoughts are turning to autumn learning for the county’s adult learners.

The new ACL Essex course guide has landed on doormats across the county, sparking interest in the range of educational and lifestyle courses on offer.

Enrolment is now open for courses starting in September with opportunities available across Essex ranging from apprenticeships, GSCE’s, languages, creative arts and more.

ACL Essex can help residents gain qualifications, improve their CV, boost confidence and learn a new skill which can then lead to new jobs, improved career prospects or just simply time out to get creative.

Chris Botragyi, 41, from Kirby Cross, studied for a GCSE English with Adult Community Learning Essex and,achieved an A* in 2015. He is currently awaiting the results of a Maths GSCE which he studied this year.

Chris decided to enrol with ACL Essex as he realised that having qualifications would improve his CV and increase his employment chances.

“My ACL tutor was fantastic. She treated us like adults, as individuals, as people. On the first day of the course everyone in the group was really quiet. The whole feeling of being back in the classroom was daunting but soon everyone was talking as the tutor immediately allayed our fears. I’ve made some great friends.”

“I’m now studying part time for an Open University degree in English. “I never dreamed I could do a degree; it would have been a total pipe dream.

“I’ve also written a novel and it’s going to be published on e-reader.

“ACL has enhanced my life and sent me down a completely different career path.”

For more details visit www.essex.gov.uk/adult-learning or call 0345 603 7635.