Get the help you need to succeed

Before you start learning with us, it’s a good idea to check that your computer is set up to work with our courses by using ‘Test My PC’. You can also follow the instructions below if you need more help getting started with your learning.

Instructions for Internet Explorer 7 (IE7) users

• Launch Internet Explorer and click on “Tools”.

• From the drop-down menu, click on "Internet Options". This will open a new window, click on the “Privacy” tab ready for you to set up your pop-up blocker settings, which is covered for you next.

Setting up your pop-up blocker settings

We use pop-up windows for our courses. If you want to make sure you can access your learning you may need to make a few small changes to your pop-up blocker settings so your computer will allow pop-ups from learndirect. See the instructions below on how to do this.

• If it isn’t already ticked, tick the “Turn on Pop-up Blocker” box and click the “Settings” button. This will open a new window called “Pop-up Blocker Settings”.

• Type *.learndirect.co.uk in the “Address of website to allow” field and click the “Add” button. *.learndirect.co.uk will now appear in the “Allowed sites” list.
• Click on the “Close” button to return to the Internet Options window.
• Now click on the “Sites” button, which will open a window called “Per Site Privacy Actions”.

• Type *.learndirect.co.uk in the “Address of website” field, and click the “Allow” button. *.learndirect.co.uk will now appear in the “Managed websites” list. 
• Click the “OK” button to return to the Internet Options window.

Adding learndirect as a trusted site

Next, we need to set learndirect as a trusted site in the Internet Options window so your computer knows that our website is safe to access.

• Click on the “Security” tab and then click on the green tick called “Trusted sites”.

• Hold the left mouse button to move the slider to set the security level to “Medium” if it isn’t already set to this.
• Now click on the “Sites” button, which will open a new window called “Trusted sites”.

• Type *.learndirect.co.uk in the “Add this website to the zone” field and click the “Add” button. *.learndirect.co.uk will now appear in the “Web sites” list. 
• Make sure the “Require server verification” box is not ticked. If it is, then untick it.
• Click the “OK” button to return to the Internet Options window.
• Finally, click the "Apply" button and then the “OK” button to close the Internet Options window.

Clearing your internet cache

All the files stored in your cache (a storage place on your computer) take up space on your computer. From time to time it’s a good idea to clear out the files stored in your cache just to free up some space on your computer. This is called clearing the cache. Doing this also helps ensure websites display any new content properly if they've been updated.

How to clear your cache?

• In the Internet Explorer menu, click on “Tools”. Then, from the drop-down menu, click on "Delete Browsing History". This will open up a new window.

• From here, click on the “Delete files”, “Delete cookies”, and “Delete History” buttons in turn, selecting ‘Yes’ when you get a message asking ‘Are you sure...’.
• Click “Close” to shut the “Delete Browsing History” window. 
• Close Internet Explorer and restart it again for these changes to work.

You are now set up to get the most from you learning with learndirect!

Before you start learning with us, it’s a good idea to check that your computer is set up to work with our courses by using ‘Test My PC’. You can also follow the instructions below if you need more help getting started with your learning.

Instructions for Firefox users

We use pop-up windows for our courses. If you want to make sure you can access your learning you may need to make a small change to your pop-up blocker settings so your computer allows pop-ups from learndirect. See the instructions below on how to do this for Firefox.

Setting up your pop-up blocker settings

• Start Firefox
• Click "tools" from the menu bar and select "options", which will open a new window called “Options”
• From the “Options” window click “Content”
• Here, the “Block popup windows” and ”Enable JavaScript” box should already be ticked. If not, then please tick them
• Now click on the "Exceptions" button to the right of “Block pop-up windows tick box”

• This will open up another new window called “Allowed Sites – Popups”
• Type *.learndirect.co.uk in the “Address of website” box and click the “Allow” button

• *.learndirect.co.uk will now appear in the site box
• Click on the "Close" button to go back to the "Options" window
• Now click on the "Privacy" tab and on the drop down menu, select 'use custom settings for history' and then click the "Exceptions" button

• Type *.learndirect.co.uk in the “Address of web site” box and then click the “Allow” button

• *.learndirect.co.uk will now appear in the site box
• Click the “Close” button.and then click the “OK” button

Clearing your Internet Cache in Firefox

All the files stored in your cache (a storage place on your computer) take up space. From time to time it’s a good idea to clear out the files stored in your cache to free up some space on your computer. This is called clearing the cache. Doing this also helps ensure websites display any new content properly if they have been updated.

For more details on how to clear your internet cache in Firefox read the FAQs below.

• For Firefox 3.5 - http://support.mozilla.com/en-US/kb/Clear+Recent+History
• For Firefox 3.0 - http://support.mozilla.com/en-US/kb/Clear+Recent+History

You’re now set up and ready to get the most from your learning with learndirect!

Don’t know which operating system or browser you have installed on your computer?

Use the ‘Test My PC’ tool to find out. This tool will also help you check whether your computer meets the minimum requirements to successfully use learndirect courses

Our courses are tested on the most commonly used operating systems and browsers, and we recommend that learndirect courses are run on these. Currently, we support use on the following operating systems:

• Windows XP
• Windows Vista

We also support use on the following browsers:

• Internet Explorer 6
• Internet Explorer 7
• Firefox 3

As newer operating systems and browsers are released, we may add them to our supported list but this will not happen immediately as we need to thoroughly check that our courses will work properly with them.

Platforms such as Apple Macs and Linux systems are not currently supported by learndirect due to the very small number of customers using them.

However we regularly check our supported list, particularly as newer operating systems and browsers are released, and may add these to it but this will not happen immediately as we need to thoroughly check that our courses and systems will work properly with them.

Using unsupported browsers and operating systems

It may be possible to run your course using operating systems and browsers we don't support such as Linux, Apple Macs, Google Chrome, Opera or Safari, however learndirect cannot guarantee that courses will work.

If you do experience any problems with using unsupported operating systems or browsers then you should try using one of the supported items as listed above.

Internet Explorer 8- We plan to support this browser in the near future, so if you already have this installed on your computer we suggest you try using your course with it. If you do experience problems using this browser try turning on IE8's compatibility mode using the button on the top toolbar - this sets IE8 to run in a similar way to IE7.

Some learndirect courses will require extra software (often called 'plugins' or 'players') in order for the course to run successfully, for example, Flash.

To see if you’ve already got the plugins you need installed on your browser, run the Test My PC tool and follow the link to the results page. This will tell you if you’ve already got the right plugins installed. If not, you can find links to download the ones you need on our ‘Do I need particular software to access my course?’ help page.

learndirect is here to give you with the best possible learning experience.

As a learndirect learner, you will have access to:

• Your tutor - to help you complete your learning and achieve your goals (the Learner Promise gives you more information about tutor support).
• Your online Learning Pages - so you can plan and manage your learning and keep in touch with your tutor.
• learndirect community - where you can share your experiences online, chat to other learners, ask questions and get support with your learning too.
• Help and support - to help you through your learning if you have an difficulties.

As your feedback helps us to improve please contact us to tell us what you like, make a suggestion or comment, ask a question or make a complaint.

We can help you get the skills you need to get the job you want, start a business, get on at work, help your children with their homework, or work towards a qualification - we can even train people who work for you.

Learning with learndirect is different as you can fit your learning around your life. You can learn at your own pace, in bite sized chunks at a time to suit you. You can do your learning from a learndirect centre, your home, work or wherever you have access to the internet.

learndirect learning is broken down into topics which are interactive and fun - not like reading a textbook. You can follow the topics in any order, and depending on what you need, you can skip some topics or repeat others.

All learndirect learning provides activities where you can practice what you have learnt and see what progress you are making. Many assessments will give you immediate feedback, so you know straight away how you are getting on.

You will have access to a tutor who will regularly review your progress and provide help when you need it, and when you finish your learning they will help you to decide on what you would like to do next.

View the learning with learndirect section, to get a feel for what to expect. See how other learners have benefited, and what it's like to learn with learndirect.

As learndirect courses are computer-based you can learn wherever suits you best;

• at any of our learndirect centres,
• at home
• or anywhere where you can access the internet e.g your local library.

Some of our courses are also available on work books or CD-Rom.

If you want to check if your computer will work with learndirect courses read ‘Will learndirect courses work on my computer?’

It's easy.

If you want to do an eCourse you can start straight away. Go to the eCourses catalogue and choose a course.

Alternatively;

1. Browse our other learndirect courses and qualifications
2. Find and contact your local learndirect centre to check they offer the course that you want to do.
3. Register and begin your course – you can then learn either at the centre, at home, or anywhere with Internet access.

If you think you might be eligible for funding or if you've got a learning goal but are not sure which learning will help you get there, then give us a call on 0800 101 901.

How much you pay for a course will depend on your personal circumstances and the course you choose.

Government funding for learning is available for specific courses (quite often for basic Maths and English as well as a range of business and IT, when you are working towards a qualification.). Where funding is not available, i.e. for eCourses, prices start from £20.  Find out more here.

The length of a course depends on the type of course that you choose to do. For example, most learndirect maths and English courses take between 3-10 hours to complete, whilst IT courses or qualifications will take longer.

To help you fit your learning around your life most courses are broken down into bit-sized chunks, so you can learn at a pace to suit you in order to meet your agreed end date.

learndirect staff will be able to provide you with more details for your specific courses.

At learndirect we have a range of courses and qualifications including:

• Skills for Life. No matter what level you are at these courses will help you become more confident in using maths and English every day.
• Home and Office computer skills. Whether you’re starting from scratch or you already know the basics. learndirect’s IT courses will give you valuable skills you can use at home and at work.
• Business and management courses. Whatever you’re current job or sector you work in, these courses will help you develop your business skills and increase your effectiveness at work. Many of these courses can be used to work towards a recognized ILM (Institute of Leadership and Management) qualification.
  
• English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL). If English isn’t your first language and you’d like a better understanding of spoken and written English, then our ESOL courses are the right choice for you.
  Please note that ESOL courses aren’t offered by all centres so check before you visit.

Qualifications

• Certificate in Adult Numeracy and Literacy. Our Skills for life courses can help you gain a nationally recognised Certificate. These are available in two levels and measure your skills up to GCSE level.
  To find out more about the level of the certificates read ‘Are the Certificates in Adult Literacy and Numeracy (Level 1 & 2) an equivalent qualification to GCSEs?’
• Computer Qualifications. learndirect offer the following: ECDL (European Driving Licence), New CLAIT, CLAIT Plus, ITQ, and the Digital Literacy Certificate.
• NVQs. With learndirect you can take a Level 2 NVQ (National Vocational Qualification) in: Management, Business Administration, Retail Skills, Team Leading, Customer Service, Health and Social Care, and Business Improvement Techniques.
• Learning through Work. Learning through Work gives you the opportunity to individually tailor a route to a recognised university-level qualification, using projects you complete as part of your current role, so both you and your business benefit.

The Adult Numeracy and Literacy certificates (Level 1 & 2) are equivalent in level to GCSEs, but not in breadth.

The certificates were devised as an alternative to GCSEs for adults, and it has always been the intention that the certificates should be accepted by Higher Education Institutions (HEI) as an equivalent qualification.

It is important to be aware that as these institutions are independent and there are still a number of them who do not accept the certificates. Ufi/learndirect have no control over this, therefore all learners who need a qualification for entry onto a specific course e.g PGCE, should confirm with their individual HEI institution whether they will accept the certificates before enrolling

We have hundreds of learndirect centres so it's likely there will be one near you. You will find them almost anywhere: on the high street, in leisure and community centres, colleges, and libraries.

Your learndirect centre can help you get started on a course and will provide you with access to a computer to do your learning.

There are a range of helpful facilities and services on offer at learndirect centres - most offering some or all of the following:

• free internet access for your learning
• cafés
• parking

It varies from centre to centre so check with your local learndirect centre what they have to offer.

You can use the online search to find your nearest learndirect centre.

Just enter your postcode or the name of the place you live and click ‘search’,  and the results will then list the nearest centres to you.

The results will also provide the contact details, type of courses offered and facilities available for each of the centres.

You can find out more information about your local centre such as opening times and directions by using the centre search, and then clicking on the ‘more details’ link for your chosen centre

The 'Nothing Can Stop You'  book has been written to support you with your journey of gaining new skills and qualifications.

It gives you tips, tools and ideas and exercises to help you get started and achieve your goals.

You can order your copy by filling in the online form.

Reading with your children is a great way to improve their maths and English skills - as well as yours. That's why we've produced this book called 'Where did the river go?'

It is not your normal storybook. To follow Plip and Dab on their adventure, you and your children have to solve puzzles designed to test your English and maths skills.

How to claim your free book

To get your free copy of 'Where did the river go?'* you need to register your details and print out a voucher from the Where did the river go? website.

If you don't have an email address or printer, don't worry. We can text the voucher to your mobile or you can register at your nearest learndirect centre.

*This offer is open to residents in England and Wales only over 18 years of age. A maximum of one voucher per household is permitted.