A COLLEGE is looking for adults who want to be taught a lesson. Oaklands College is offering free classes to adults over 19 who have a level two qualification — equivalent to five GCSE s grades A*-C — or below . Courses begin next month at both St Albans

A COLLEGE is looking for adults who want to be taught a lesson.

Oaklands College is offering free classes to adults over 19 who have a level two qualification - equivalent to five GCSE's grades A*-C - or below .

Courses begin next month at both St Albans campuses and Welwyn Garden City and include basic lessons in computing, customer care, pet care, horticulture, brick work, motor-vehicle maintenance and improving writing, spelling and punctuation.

At a more advanced level there will be languages, childcare, IT, beauty therapy, engineering and leisure tourism.

The Government is subsidising the courses as part of a drive to get people to level two and above.

One person who has taken advantage of the courses is Julie Brown, aged 27, from St Albans who left school at 16 after taking her GCSEs and began working in an office.

After her children started school, she decided to change her career and began studying for an NVQ Level 2 in Beauty Therapy.

She is now on the Level 3 programme and after her studies she wants to begin work in a spa. She said: "I decided to study beauty as the industry interests me and I like working with people. I have learnt about so many aspects of the industry including massage, nails, electrolysis and facials."

Mark Dawe, Oaklands principal, said they could offer adults opportunities that could make a real difference to their lives. The courses could offer people change, a new career direction or something to enjoy as a leisure activity.

For more information about the courses go to www.oaklands.ac.uk/adult or call 01727 737080.