New Directions is the Learning and Employment Service for Reading from Reading Borough Council.

New Directions has four centres located in Central, North, South and West Reading and offers a selection of services at other community venues throughout Reading.

New Directions centres

• Central Reading Centre: 2nd Floor, Reading Central Library, Abbey Square, Reading, RG1 3BQ
• North Reading Centre: School Lane, Caversham, Reading, RG4 8HX
• South Reading Centre: 330 Northumberland Avenue, Reading, RG2 8DH
• West Reading Centre: Wilson Road, Reading, RG30 2RW

New Directions mission is to provide best value adult, family learning and employment opportunities which meet the needs and aspirations of the whole community of Reading. The employment services are free of charge, and courses are either subsidised by government funding or in some cases are free.

New Directions employment services include:

• Careers information, advice and guidance
• One-to-one employment advice
• Self-service job search facilities
• Employment workshops to improve essential skills such as CV writing and interview techniques

New Directions learning services include:

A wide variety of learning opportunities in skills and leisure courses including:

• Arts & Crafts, Body & Mind, Cookery & Wine, Counselling & Professional Studies, Digital Photography, Fashion Design, Home & Leisure, Languages, Teacher Training & Volunteering and WorkSkills
• Courses for Adults with Learning Difficulties or Disabilities
• Skills for Life courses in English, Maths and English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL)
• Family Learning
• Train to Gain