Selecting Christmas presents can pose a challenge, especially when it comes to individuals who appear to possess everything. It may be challenging to come up with a unique and meaningful gift that truly expresses your care and thoughtfulness. Offering the gift of learning stands out as one of the most considerate and meaningful gestures you can make.
Why give the gift of learning?
As cliché as it may sound, presenting the gift of learning is genuinely one of the most meaningful gestures you can make. By offering this invaluable present, you’re not only providing a lasting benefit but also opening up avenues for personal growth.
Throughout life, numerous obstacles and challenges may hinder individuals from realising their full potential—health issues, family commitments, and even past academic choices. However, these obstacles don’t have to dictate one’s journey, and the gift of learning serves as a powerful tool to overcome such barriers.
Let’s face it; we’ve all experienced moments where we desired self-improvement but lacked the necessary resources. This is especially true during our early professional years when we were navigating the professional landscape. Imagine the impact of giving someone the crucial opportunity to enhance their CV and seize that well-deserved promotion.
Here a just a few reasons that giving a course for Christmas can be a thoughtful, meaningful and unique gift idea:
- Personalised Learning: Selecting a course that reflects the recipient’s interests, hobbies, or career goals shows you’ve put thought into the gift, and that you know and understand them.
- Skill Development: Courses offer the opportunity for skill development and learning new things. Whether it’s a language course, a cooking class, or a professional development programme, the gift of knowledge and skill acquisition can be enriching and have a lasting impact.
- Experience Over Material Possessions: Many people appreciate experiences over physical gifts. A course provides an experiential gift that can be both enjoyable and educational, contributing to personal growth and enrichment.
- Flexible Learning Options: With the rise of online learning platforms, courses can be taken at the learner’s own pace and convenience. This flexibility makes it easier for the recipient to integrate learning into their schedule, making it a practical and accessible gift.
- Long-lasting Impact: Unlike some physical gifts that might lose their appeal over time, the knowledge gained from a course can have a long-lasting impact on the recipient’s life. It’s a gift that keeps on giving as the acquired skills and knowledge can be applied in various aspects of their personal or professional life.
- Supporting Personal Goals: If the course aligns with the recipient’s personal or professional goals, the gift can be seen as a supportive gesture. It shows that you not only care about their interests but also want to contribute to their growth and success.
- Memorable Experience: The process of taking a course and acquiring new skills can create lasting memories. The learning journey, challenges overcome, and achievements earned during the course can be cherished by the recipient, and quite often the achievement is a great way of improving self-esteem and confidence.
When choosing a course as a Christmas gift, consider the recipient’s interests, aspirations, and the type of learning experience they might enjoy. Whether it’s a language course, a creative workshop, or a professional development programme, the key is to tailor the gift to the individual’s preferences and goals.
A Gift of Learning Can Be Fun
Quite frequently, we tend to forget how enjoyable it can be to learn, especially when the subject is of personal interest. Consider the person you’re purchasing for. You might want to buy them something that not only captivates their interest but also contributes to enhancing their mental well-being. It’s never too late to embark on a learning journey, and with the technology available today, there are numerous accessible ways to do so.
The gift of learning is also an incredible gift for a loved one who is retired. It is never too late to learn again, and new research shows that brain function declines rapidly after retirement. It appears that the lack of regular stimulation takes a heavy toll on cognitive function and could play a part in speeding up memory loss and dementia, some researchers warn.
Numerous medical studies suggest that continuous learning during retirement can positively impact brain health. Retirement often leads us to neglect exercising our minds, and an article from Age UK delves into this topic, exploring whether “Brain Training” genuinely improves cognitive health. In essence, the article concludes that learning something new, whether a skill or academic pursuit, yields the most favourable results in terms of stimulating the brain and enhancing cognitive abilities. The inherent wisdom gained through learning is a key factor.
Some popular courses that learners choose to do for personal interest rather than personal development are Creative Writing, Psychology of Criminal Profiling, Digital Photography Diploma or Genealogy, to name but a few. Why not take a look at what we have to offer online and see if you can find that unique gift for someone you love.
A Gift of Learning Can Change Lives
By investing in a course for a loved one, you have the potential to enhance their quality of life and financial security. It’s possible that they lack the financial means to enrol in a course independently and presenting them with the gift of a course this holiday season could mark the beginning of a more fulfilling career journey.
This could also serve as a chance for individuals currently not employed to build the confidence needed to re-enter the workforce. Numerous courses are accessible to assist learners in transitioning back to work. Consider enrolling in a Principles of Customer Service Certificate RQF, NCFE Level 3 Certificate in Principles of Business Administration course or a similar program to showcase your acquired knowledge and skills to prospective employers.
Not only does unemployment hinder individuals from entering the workforce, but the responsibilities of raising a young family can also lead to periods of joblessness. Engaging in a distance learning course offers parents the flexibility to study at their own pace, accommodating their family obligations. This preparation equips them for a successful return to work in the future. By undertaking a course tailored to align with industries conducive to work-life balance, such as becoming a teaching assistant, parents can gain relevant skills. Our Supporting Teaching and Learning in Schools Award Level 3 RQF is designed to provide learners with a foundational knowledge qualification, which should help them in securing employment as a teaching assistant. Subsequently, once employed, they can leverage the completed units to progress to the next level of Ofqual-regulated qualifications.
Regardless of their particular circumstances, providing the gift of learning can deeply impact an individual’s life and journey. It offers a chance to demonstrate your support for their personal growth and development, demonstrating encouragement for them to thrive and reach their full potential.
The benefits of home learning courses
With home learning courses, you can choose to study at any level with very few, if any, pre-requisite qualifications needed.
We have hundreds of home learning courses available. From nail art to psychology, from autism awareness to maths, we have a course that is suitable. It can be helpful to split the courses into two broad categories as you consider which course would make the best Christmas gift: vocational or career related courses can be an important springboard from one role or career into another. Interest courses are another category which includes all kinds of courses that many people find interesting or are passionate about. Learning does not always have to mean a bigger pay packet or more responsibility. Qualifications and learning can be about widening and broadening horizons in subject matters that people find fascinating and stimulating.
Embarking on an online course is a convenient and flexible way to engage in learning, allowing individuals to proceed at their own pace and accommodate other commitments. This flexibility ensures that learning can seamlessly integrate into one’s life, empowering personal development and providing control over enhancing employability. Online learning has democratised knowledge, enabling people from all walks of life to boost their understanding and career prospects at any life stage. Whether preparing for a new chapter when children start school or seeking to break free from a stagnant routine, the gift of learning during the holiday season could be a valuable investment in personal growth.
Online Learning Courses At Affordable Prices
At NCC we provide quality courses at affordable prices, and in addition we also offer the option to purchase over 12 months without a credit check so that education is accessible for all.
Imagine the look on your loved ones face this Christmas morning upon opening a box and inside finding that they have been signed up for a course to enable them to work towards a new career in counselling or health care, for example. Or perhaps a course that enables them to start being their own boss such as Dog Grooming or Beauty Therapy, or if they can learn about something that is of personal interest such as Creative Writing, Genealogy or even delving into the Psychology of Criminal Profiling. We have lots of interesting options and a variety of directions, take a look at what’s available today and consider a new and unique gift idea for a loved one this year.
If purchasing an entire course feels overwhelming, consider the option of NCC gift vouchers. For further information, feel free to reach out to us at 0333 344 5690 or via email at [email protected].
FAQs
Originally, NCC stood for the National Consortium of Further Education (FE) Colleges, bringing together these institutions to optimise educational provision. Regular national meetings convened Colleges and Government agencies, fostering collaboration and facilitating the efficient delivery of training to students. Over a span of more than 25 years, NCC has evolved to specialise in delivering exceptionally high-quality online training. This training is accessible to a diverse range of students, including those who are self-funded, sponsored by schools, employers, or training providers.
You have two options in terms of buying a course for someone else:
You can purchase the course and use the “Ship To” details to fill in the learner’s details, so that the course is signed up in their name.
If you want to keep the purchase a surprise until Christmas Day, simply purchase the course and contact us by email at [email protected] to inform us of your intention to give this as a gift, providing us with the recipient’s details. After Christmas, we will ensure that the course is transferred to the learner, and details of how to log in and start learning will be sent out via email. The support start date will not begin until the course details have been sent out to the recipient.
Online learning enables you to access course materials and study from anywhere in the world and at any time that suits you. Some of our courses have been customised with a reputable Awarding Organisation to provide evidence of knowledge in a particular area where there might not be a formal qualification available. Or alternatively we have a large number of ofqual regulated courses that you can access from the comfort of your own home. Once completed you are usually certificated within approximately 6 weeks subject to moderation.
Online learning enables you to access course materials and study from anywhere in the world and at any time that suits you. Some of our courses have been customised with a reputable Awarding Organisation to provide evidence of knowledge in a particular area where there might not be a formal qualification available. Or alternatively we have a large number of ofqual regulated courses that you can access from the comfort of your own home. Once completed you are usually certificated within approximately 6 weeks subject to moderation.
The gift of knowledge provides several benefits, including:
Empowerment: Knowledge empowers individuals by giving them the tools and information they need to make informed decisions and take control of their lives.
Personal Growth: Knowledge allows individuals to expand their horizons, develop new skills, and grow personally and intellectually.
Problem Solving: Knowledge equips individuals with the ability to solve problems, overcome challenges, and adapt to new situations effectively.
Innovation: Knowledge serves as the foundation for innovation and progress in various fields, from science and technology to art and culture.
Opportunities: Knowledge opens doors to new opportunities, whether in education, career advancement, or personal development.
Connection: Knowledge fosters a sense of connection with others by enabling individuals to communicate, share experiences, and engage in meaningful discussions.
Sources
Brumberg, R., (2023) Retirement Is One Of Life’s Major Transitions—Maintaining Cognitive Health Can Make It Easier. Forbes. [online] Available at: https://www.forbes.com/health/healthy-aging/cognitive-health-in-early-retirement/ [accessed 30/11/23]
AgeUK, Dr Alan Gow, (2022) Exercise for the brain? [online] Available at: https://www.ageuk.org.uk/information-advice/health-wellbeing/mind-body/staying-sharp/looking-after-your-thinking-skills/exercise-for-the-brain/ [accessed 30/11/23]
BBC, David Robson (2017) The amazing fertility of the older mind. BBC. [online] Available at: https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20170828-the-amazing-fertility-of-the-older-mind [accessed 30/11/23]
The Telegraph, Sarah Knapton, (2018) Retirement causes brain function to rapidly decline, warn scientists. [online] Available at: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/science/2018/01/22/retirement-causes-brain-function-rapidly-decline-warn-scientists/ [accessed 30/11/23]
Nick Cooper
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