BASINGSTOKE College of Technology (BCoT) is to offer free courses for working adults thanks to new funding.

An announcement by the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) means a wide range of courses for eligible people either looking to upskill, retrain or take up a leisure pursuit will now be fully funded for working adults earning less that £15,736.50 per annum.

Eligible courses include a wide range of Level 1 to 2 ESOL (English as a second or foreign language) programmes.

Other eligible courses include a number of painting, decorating, building maintenance and carpentry courses and professional qualifications including accountancy, counselling and barbering. There are also opportunities for those looking to develop cake decorating and professional cookery skills or gain basic car maintenance and welding qualifications.

BCoT principal Anthony Bravo said: “This is a great opportunity for working adults keen to learn English with ESOL, develop skills to progress in an existing career or perhaps have a completely new change of direction. “Our adult education programme is already hugely popular and successful and I am delighted that we can now extend this offer and really make a difference to those on low incomes looking for ways to develop their careers.”