Free English and maths qualifications are being offered in Cumbria.

Adult residents are being invited to enhance their skillsets via a free online course, which provides the chance to attain additional qualifications to expand their life and employment prospects.

The initiative, open to anyone over 19, is run by Realise, one of the nation's top training providers.

The course, called Online Functional Skills, is fully funded and delivered in 14 one-hour weekly online sessions.

Two levels of qualifications in English and maths are available.

New courses are rolled out regularly.

Tamie Slade, Performance Manager at Realise, said: "This is a fantastic opportunity for adults across Cumbria of any age who, for whatever reason, didn’t secure the English and maths results they desired at school to top-up their knowledge and secure a qualification."

Surpassing the course's level 1 garners a qualification equivalent to a GCSE grade D-E or 2-3 in the new grading structure.

Successful completion of level 2 signifies a grade C or 4.

Tamie Slade added: "The course may appeal to individuals for a variety of reasons, from assisting with employment opportunities, to opening up the possibility of applying for a university degree or even gaining additional knowledge to be in a position to help their children with their school work."

Grading is based on assessments conducted online, comprising a single maths exam and three English exams assessing reading, writing, and speaking skills.

For further details on the course, interested individuals can visit https://tinyurl.com/bdhkny9n.