AS a new academic year approaches, it's not just youngsters who are preparing to go back to the classroom — adults are also being encouraged to learn new skills, take up a hobby or brush up on their maths or English. In a fresh wave of new opportunities, Learn Devon is welcoming people to sign up to one or more of their courses this autumn. Many residents in Devon have already benefitted from Adult Learning, such as 30-year-old Sam White who was working in academia and decided to take up a course in stone carving in 2012. Sam had also been studying politics part-time at university but wanted to learn how to carve stone and become more 'hands-on' with the material. He said: 'I really enjoyed learning a new skill and gaining a new interest. The tutor was great and really inspirational. I would thoroughly recommend anyone to this course.' Sam signed up to two more courses in 2013 and eventually decided on a career change to further his stone masonry skills. Paul Allaway, 51, recently achieved his Level 2 English qualification. He has dyslexia and in the past has had difficulties with text-based learning. He said: 'I didn't have a good experience at school and found there were too many distractions in the classroom. 'The course with Learn Devon was in a small group which helped me pick things up better. 'Getting this qualification has proved I can achieve and pass things — I just need more time. 'It has given me confidence to try new things and I would tell people that there are opportunities out there for them, try it, don't give up.' Devon County Council cabinet member for community and environmental services Roger Croad, said: 'Learning a new skill can mean many things, whether it's a new-found confidence in  English or maths or for some a chance to make friends and become more involved with their community. 'Whatever they have come away with, it's good news for our learners and good news for Devon as a whole and I would encourage residents to see what they could achieve.' Learn Devon is hosting an open centre for the West Devon area at the Alexander Centre in Tavistock today (Thursday) between 9am and 9pm. There will be demonstrations, including painting and drawing, batik, languages, open computing, digital photography, creative writing and guitar from 2pm to 4pm and 5pm to 7pm. There will be a 'celebrate your success' event from 7.30pm to 8.30pm where last term's learners are invited to celebrate their exam results. For more information visit http://www.learndevon.o.uk">www.learndevon.o.uk