In these times of recession, ensuring your skills are relevant and up-to-date could mean the difference between career stagnation and promotion.

We're working in conjunction with Home Learning College, the UK’s leading home learning provider, now gives readers with a new service to help them stay one step ahead.

The service offers a range of professionally accredited home study courses, all designed to boost career prospects and employability.

Courses include IT and computing, book-keeping and accountancy, internet and web design, childcare, social care and business and marketing. Every course is accredited by professional organisations such as Sage, AAT, CompTIA, Adobe, the Chartered Institute of Marketing and the Institute of Travel and Tourism, and is designed to gain further qualifications and accelerate career prospects.

Home study provides huge flexibility, and students come from every age group and background. Students can work at their own pace and whenever is most convenient.

There is no required classroom attendance to fit around family or work commitments and, for many, gaining a recognised qualification is the ideal solution to help make that career change.

All you need to succeed is enthusiasm, as Home Learning College’s academic director, Dave Snow, explains: “If you enjoy your subject, and are excited about unlocking your full potential, you’ve already got what it takes.”

And while you supply the motivation, Home Learning College supplies everything else; all the study books, learning materials, assignments, membership of related professional associations, stationery and software. Students are assigned a specialist personal tutor, highly experienced in assisting home study and providing guidance and encouragement every step of the way.

Students also have secure access to Home Learning College’s Virtual Learning Community, an online environment designed to enhance student experience. Here, Home Learning College’s 60,000 students across the UK can interact and participate in online discussion, and exchange experiences and advice. Students can also interact with their tutor, submit course work and access additional learning tools and content. The Virtual Learning Community means students get the flexibility and convenience benefits of studying from home, whilst ensuring they are never alone.

Whether the motivation is career progression, career change or a sense of fulfilment, Home Learning College offers career and training possibilities for all.