This New Year why not learn a new skill or advance in your career with SMB College Group's FREE Distance Learning Courses?

Trying to fit in learning around a busy schedule and having the finances for a course to upskill isn't always possible, that's why the College offers free Distance Learning courses in a range of subject areas, from Business to Education to Health and Social Care and more.

This year the College is putting an emphasis on their mental health, mentoring and leadership courses, as the demand for these skills grows across the nation. With this in mind, the College has even introduced a brand-new Level 3 Counselling Skills course!

Supporting your own and others mental health has never been more important, this new qualification aims to provide learners with in-depth knowledge of the use of counselling skills in work and everyday life, and the approaches that underpin the use of these skills.

The business-focused courses on offer are a fantastic opportunity for those who wish to develop professionally, boost their CV, or give themselves an edge in the competitive job market. Course options include Lean Organisation Management Techniques, Business Improvement Techniques, and Understanding Data Protection and Data Security.

As part of every course, students receive access to high-quality paper-based or online resources, in addition to support and guidance from dedicated, expert tutors. You can study at your own pace, fitting the modules in around your existing commitments.

Clare Shenton, who completed two courses with the College last year, said

"I took the Mental Health First Aid and Self-Harm & Suicide Prevention courses in 2023 for personal development. They were both really interesting, challenging and thought provoking. Being able to study alongside others was excellent. The teaching and discussions with the lecturer and other students were invaluable.

"It was great to be able to complete the assessments in my own time, at my own pace. Having the study books meant I was able to go back over content, and there were lots of opportunities to delve into interesting aspects more deeply if I wanted to. My lecturer was on hand if I needed any help and provided excellent feedback on each of the units as I completed them, enabling me to improve each time. I'm looking forward to completing my next course in 2024."

If you're interested in taking the next step in your learning journey, get in touch with SMB College Group's Distance Learning team on 01530 836 136 (Extension 151) or via email at distancelearning@smbgroup.ac.uk to discuss your options. Alternatively, you can find out more and apply today at www.smbcollegegroup.ac.uk/courses/distance-learning.