Learners: Information and Advice

Libraries and what they can do for you!!

Libraries can provide information on learning and work opportunities, including access to computers and the Internet. Staff can direct you to the appropriate source of information for further help. You can:-

• Use the library catalogue
• Find the books on the library shelves
• Most libraries have photocopying and printing facilities
• Help with logging onto PC’s
• Help with specialised services like; Electronic Journals

All University and Higher Education Libraries aim to cover the full range of disciplines read at their respective establishments. Many libraries try to offer multiple copies of the key texts.

Here are some of the libraries associated with the Community University of the Valleys (CUV).

Department of Adult and Continuing Education, University of Wales Swansea: http://www.swan.ac.uk/dace/newdace/library.asp

South Wales Miners’ Library (Adult Education Library), University of Wales Swansea: http://www.swan.ac.uk/lis/swml

Open University – Library Services: http://library.open.ac.uk/

University of Wales, Newport: http://lis.newport.ac.uk/index.htm

Community University of the Valleys – East: http://lis.newport.ac.uk/library/index.htm

University of Glamorgan: http://www.glam.ac.uk/tour/library_learning/

DOVE Workshop: http://www.doveworkshop.org/library.htm

Further Education Colleges

If you are considering learning at a college, you will be able to get information about the course by talking to the course tutor.

For more information visit the section: Talking To Your Course Tutor

Most colleges have an advice or information centre, where advisers will be able to talk to you about the courses in that the college, or refer you to other organisations if you need additional help. If you are already studying at a college, advice centre staff may be able to talk to you about your next step, provide help with CV's or application forms or refer you to a specialist if necessary. Most colleges also employ someone offering financial advice

Universities and Colleges of Higher Education

Information and advice about courses in the college or university is available from course tutors or admissions tutors.

If you are a current student, you will be able to obtain a wide range of help from the Careers Advisory Service.

If you're a graduate you could get help from the Careers Service of the university or college that you attended, or the one in your area - depending on local arrangements.

Prospects

Is the UK's official graduate careers website providing free online information and advice for students who left university within the last 5 years. Careers advice by telephone is available on 0870 770 2477. Check the website for opening times. A Type Talk number is available for hearing impaired graduates 18001 0870 2477.

For further information visit www.prospects.ac.uk/

The Open University

You can get information on all the Open University (OU) courses through its website along with contact details for your nearest local enquiry office.

The Learners Guide section covers topics such as:

• how to choose a course or qualification;
• advice for disabled students and others with additional needs;
• career planning and;
• a range of toolkits to help improve your study skills.

For further information visit www.open.ac.uk

Adult/Community Education Services

Will be able to provide a wealth of information about their own courses and are usually able to point you in the direction of other local organisations who offer advice. Your local Education Authority will be able to give you contact details.

Workers Educational Association (WEA)

WEA is the UK's largest voluntary provider of adult education and provides information on courses and contacts in your local area. For further information visit www.wea.org.uk

Voluntary organisations

There are a wide range of organisations across the UK of which many are based in local communities. They can talk to you about the opportunities that they provide, and the kinds of people that they are looking for. Most will be able to help you contact other organisations that give advice.

Trade Union Congress Learning Representatives

Learning representatives provide information and advice to people in the workplace. People who have used this support say they have benefited from talking informally to someone who is familiar with their situation. If you want to find out if there is someone in your workplace, talk to your union representative or visit the TUC Learning Services website. For further information visit www.learningservices.org.uk

Work Train

This is a national jobs and learning website which provides details of job vacancies, education and training opportunities along with information on over 690 occupations. For further information visit www.worktrain.gov.uk/

Freshties

Find and contact people who've been there & done it, or planning the same, for the type of study, career, reason for taking time out that you're interested in.

www.FRESHTIES.com

(Printable Brocure)