These were offered free of charge in colleges and other venues, including pubs and community centres, throughout the country.A similar bite-size programme was held this summer – and now colleges are offering even more subjects that people can get their teeth into. “We have had colleges contact us directly and ask if they can continue with them,” says Clare Charlesworth, the LSC’s bite-size campaign manager.Although many colleges use the word “course” to describe half or one-day events such as those at South Trafford, the LSC is trying to get away from such terminology and, this summer, adopted the term “intro” “It indicates that they are short,” says Charlesworth. “The traditional view of education is that it involves courses and qualifications. Before you get to that stage, there is this opportunity for learning with a lower-level of commitment.”One of the features of “lifestyle” learning is the rich and varied range of subjects covered, some with fascinating titles.

As part of the bite-size programme, Jackie Reid ran two events called “dancing with dogs” where pet owners could learn how to take their animals through the sort of moves that, with practice, could take them to Crufts.The events, held in Cumbria, proved so popular that Reid is now running classes every Tuesday night for 10 weeks “The people who come along may never compete,” she says “They just enjoy doing different things with their dogs. It stops them, or their animal, from getting bored.”Many courses have animal themes. At Bournemouth and Poole College, people learn how to micro-chip their pets and even to get inside their minds through parrot or horse psychology. “We are aiming to encompass everybody in the community,” says marketing co-ordinator Diana Crosswell.Bellydancing and circus skills are available at New College, Nottingham, which organises classes in the community through NCN Direct, while “robot wars” can be studied at Oxford College.

Weston College, which dropped its course for potential Father Christmases because of a lack of interest, still offers learners the opportunity to understand their dreams.Alan Tuckett, director of the National Institute of Adult Continuing Learning, praises the LSC for providing colleges with a funding mechanism that allows such courses to be put on at low cost.”They are tapping into an established tradition of short and imaginative courses that focus on the curiosities of learners. The trick is then to provide a bridge to types of learning,” says Tuckett, who once taught an all-night history of rock music class.Some people find out about the new leisure courses through Learndirect – the Government’s telephone and online information service (0800 100900). Gareth Dent, head of advice services, says Learndirect takes the broadest possible definition of learning and is keen to publicise unusual short courses alongside familiar subjects such as languages and IT which make up the majority of the 560,000 courses on its database.”It’s easy to be dismissive about some of these courses but a lot of them are serving an important social function,” says Dent. “Keeping your mind active in later years has positive benefits for people’s physical and psychological health.”education independent.co.uk. With directors more in the public eye than ever before, it’s crucial that the role is seen as a proper profession, says John Wesson of director development at the Institute of Directors (IoD). “Directors being trained and being competent is particularly important in the current climate, especially in light of the Enron scandal. Recent corporate scandals have really highlighted the importance of directors understanding their roles and responsibilities.”

With directors more in the public eye than ever before, it’s crucial that the role is seen as a proper profession, says John Wesson of director development at the Institute of Directors (IoD).

The certificate-level Essential Directors Programme covers core issues like the role, responsibilities and legal duties of a director: understanding the characteristics of an effective board; a sound knowledge of financial terms and concepts; and strategic business and leadership. A pass in the certificate allows directors to move on to the diploma-level Company Direction Programme, taking on additional areas like strategic marketing; human resources; leading change processes; and effective board decision-making.Those successful at this stage can then apply to become a Chartered Director, by proving they have been active in a directorial role for a minimum of three years and providing evidence that they meet certain standards and adequately carrying out key tasks, such as setting the vision mission and strategy of their organisation, delegating authority to management, and exercising their accountability to shareholders and relevant stakeholders. Candidates must put forward a portfolio of evidence, and get endorsement from another member of their board; they are then interviewed and assessed by an IoD panel before being invited to sign a code of conduct. “The whole process is very rigorous and can take quite a long time to complete,” says Wesson. “The new certificate level is the stepping stone at the beginning of the process to make it as easy as possible to get into. Directors’ biggest single problem is time, and we need to persuade them they are getting good value for that investment.”So far around 125 directors have achieved chartered status.