TIRED of jobs in office administration, this autumn Kelly Stowers decided to pursue the career she had first considered a decade earlier.
The 29-year-old, from Chelmsford, spends three mornings a week in adult learning classes, and does several hours of homework in a bid to realise her dream of becoming an accountant.
Sitting in the payroll class, which she is taking alongside manual bookkeeping and AAT Accountancy Level 1, the former Great Baddow High pupil said: "I've wanted to be an accountant for many years but I actually started to train as a vet after leaving school.
"I soon found out that was not for me, so went into shop work, then to office work.
"I'm really enjoying coming here. All the tutors are very helpful and the courses are structured, but not regimental."
Sitting next to Kelly was Theela Bourne, 44, who is hoping to become a finance officer in a school or college.
She said: "I moved down to Chelmsford from Dagenham last year and I had to leave my part-time job in a school as it was too far to travel.
"I am taking a course here and one in Maldon. They are both very good. The tutors are happy to explain anything to you if you do not understand and will give you more work so you can move on faster if you want to."