A mother has used the skills she picked up on an adult learning course to set up a new business.
Jane Rouse of Wincobank in Sheffield has started her own mobile hairdressing business after taking a two-year NVQ in the profession, south Yorkshire newspaper the Star reports.
Ms Rouse, who is 37, had been out of work for many years caring for her disabled son, but she opted to enrol on the course in order to improve her abilities.
She applied for the Adult Learning Grant - which gives people aged 19 or over in education up to £30 a week to cover the costs of books or travel - and said that the cash was a big help.
"The Adult Learning Grant has made a huge difference to me," the newspaper quoted her as saying.
She stated that without the money she "definitely" would not have been able to go back to learning.
"Thanks to the skills I've gained, I've now got my own business and I'm looking forward to eventually opening my own salon," Ms Rouse added.
Another woman who has benefited from the grant is Nellie Kamga of Dudley in the West Midlands.
She has trained to become a nurse after taking adult leaning courses in computing, English and maths.
This is the job she had in her native country of Cameroon - which she left six years ago to come and live in the UK.
Ms Kamga explained that the courses helped to boost her confidence, adding that she is now working on an Access to Healthcare Diploma.
Get qualifications whilst doing your job – see our range of NVQs and speak to your line manager about the benefits of taking an NVQ with learndirect