A COURSE aimed at encouraging men and women into the world of higher education is being run by Bolton Institute.

"Aiming Higher" is a free course which has been running successfully at Bolton Institute for more than five years.

Because of funding restrictions, the course has been run mainly for women, but during the last year the institute has opened access to men.

Now, at last, both men and women are being offered places on the Aiming HIgher course and a mixed session will be held at the Institute from May 19 to 23.

Aiming Higher represents a chance for people who have missed out on gaining educational qualifications to discover the opportunities which are still out there.

The course is aimed at breaking down the barriers which can make people feel that further and higher education is not for them.

Anyone interested does not have to hold a formal qualification and age is no barrier.

"Many people, either unemployed, at home with children or in an unsatisfying job, have left an Aiming Higher course fired with enthusiasm to return to education and improve both their career prospects and their quality of life," said an institute spokesman.

"Many are now well on the way to achieving that goal. We hope that the next course will give the same opportunities to those men and women who are looking for a change of direction but are uncertain of the next step."

Aiming Higher is a free course and financial help is given towards travel costs and childcare for under school age children.

The course begins on Monday, May 19, and finishes with a buffet lunch on Friday, May 23.

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