Another important part of Birmingham Community College is the marketing and information centre based in Colmore Row, the heart of Birmingham's business district. The centre caters for general inquiries about BCC and the courses on offer at the partner colleges. Named "it works", it also serves as a computer training centre, offering a convenient and stylish location for people who wish to learn or update their computer skills. "it works", recently celebrated its 5,000th student enrolment since it officially opened in March 2000. Because courses are run flexibly through supported visual-based self-study and Internet online learning, people are finding it is easy to fit learning into their already busy lives. Extended opening hours and state-of-the-art training facilities enable individuals to learn at a time and pace that suits them, and with many courses free of charge, there has never been a better time to consider how technology will help enhance your personal or career potential. A typical example of how the services of the centre benefit people from all walks of life is highlighted by Margaret, aged 80, who lives in Hall Green, who became the oldest student to start a computer training course at Birmingham Community College flag-ship learning centre, "it works", situated in Colmore Row, opposite Snow Hill Railway Station. When Margaret decided she wanted to learn some computer skills, "it works" were able to offer her the flexibility and convenience to study around her busy social commitments. Margaret said: "The staff have been encouraging and helpful, as well as being extremely patient with me at times. All these factors have made it a pleasure to study at 'it works'. "I can't get to the centre often enough, and now I'm a silver surfer ,I've got the world at my finger tips." The centre is very welcoming and because it is in the city centre I don't have any trouble getting the bus or train. "I have been able to meet new people and prove to myself that it is never too late to learn new things." There are courses to suit all levels of ability, ranging from total beginner, advanced and expert level in application packages or more challenging courses in web page design, programming and networking. Courses to help you improve skills you already have, to help you in your work or for general interest, and free taster courses to help prospective students develop confidence. Andy Boulton, "it works" centre manager said: "Our convenient location and extended opening hours, combined with our superb training facilities and friendly staff, enables people to gain confidence about learning new things as well as being able to learn at a time and pace that suits them. "People are finding it easy to fit learning into their already busy lives. "As well as people using the training centre, you can also continue learning at home with courses available on CD, video and online using your home computer and internet access." With many free courses currently available, there has never been a better time to consider how learning new skills can be both fun and rewarding. With an extensive course prospectus ranging from beginner computer and internet courses, advanced and expert word processing, spreadsheets, Access and PowerPoint courses, for the more technically minded learner, programming, networking and web design courses. It's not just computer courses that are available at "it works". Budget and financial courses, coaching and mentoring, communication and presentation skills, assertiveness and time management, health & safety and customer service courses to name but a few. Many of these courses are also free, and that means free, no hidden charges. Mr Boulton went on to say: "The most popular course at the moment seems to be the European computer driving licence. "This is a computer qualification that enables beginners and people with some computer skills to gain a recognised qualification covering all the skills to develop your own knowledge but also to a standard that is recognised by employers." Such employers include NHS, IBM and many high street banks. Because "it works" are able to offer the ECDL completely free of charge, people are realising that the course will help them do their current job more efficiently, maybe gain promotion or find a new job, and the course has proved its appeal to those wishing to gain recognised computer skills qualifications. Anyone wishing to find out about specific courses or who would like more information and the opportunity to have free taster sessions, please telephone 0121 694 6464, or call into the centre, 8 Colmore Row, Birmingham city centre, opposite Snow Hill railway station. Remember many of the courses on offer are "free". "it works" is supported by seven colleges, which make up the partnership Birmingham Community College. | 
