A free USC course will offer Gympie and Fraser Coast adults the chance to start the New Year by upgrading their academic skills, exploring pathways to higher education and mapping out new career plans.

USC will run the University Skills For Community (US4C) course at its Fraser Coast campus on 8-9 January and Gympie campus on 15-16 January. Further rounds will be offered in June and November.

USC spokesperson Veronica Sanmarco said the two-day program was facilitated by experienced USC advisers and was designed for adults of all ages who have not studied formally for some years or had not finished high school.

“This is the ideal course for people to sample higher education and discover what career and study options are open to them,” Ms Sanmarco said.

“It will help to demystify university and provide a supportive environment to build their confidence and develop essential academic skills,” she said.

“They will have the opportunity to turn formal and informal learning gained from work and life experience into academic reading, writing, speaking and critical thinking skills.”

The program also gives guidance around career decision making. At the end of the course, participants can arrange to have individual sessions with USC career advisors to help develop study and career plans.

Workbooks are provided free of charge and there are no tuition costs. Registration is essential.

— Clare McKay