PEOPLE can 'shop' for college courses and jobs after an empty city centre store was transformed into an education shop.

The Learning and Skills Shop has just opened in Parliament Row, Hanley, close to BHS and McDonald's, and is already attracting potential students.

It is aimed at both adults and school leavers, who can pick up a prospectus, chat to current students and advisers, enrol on the spot, or arrange an interview with college tutors.

Over the coming weeks, the place could also be hosting demonstrations of skills people can learn at college and providing details of vacancies for apprenticeships and retail jobs.

And teenagers getting their GCSE results in August will be able to drop in to talk through their options with Connexions staff.

The shop is a collaboration between Stoke-on-Trent College, Stoke-on-Trent Sixth Form College and Stoke-on-Trent City Council, who wanted to provide an informal way of reaching out to learners.

Paul Cawley, director of learning services at Stoke-on-Trent College, said: "We felt this was a fantastic location, right in the city centre.

"It's about bringing advice and guidance to where young people and adults are. There are a lot of barriers to walking into a college. For some people, it can be a big step. By working together, we can also match the opportunities to the needs of learners."

The Learning and Skills Shop will remain open until at least Christmas and could become a permanent fixture if it proves a success.

As well as staff inside the shop, there are also student 'ambassadors' targeting shoppers in the street. As serving students, they can give them an insight into college life.

Zara Royal, aged 17, from Burslem, is one of the ambassadors. She is part-way through a childcare course at Stoke-on-Trent College. She said: "I've been giving out leaflets and asking people if they would like advice on courses. It gives them a chance to see what's available."

As well as education information, people can get support from the JET (Jobs, enterprise and training services) team.

Mother-of-three Sakina Faarooq, from Etruria, spotted the Learning and Skills Shop while out shopping and called in.

The 28-year-old said: "I'm after a nursing or midwifery course. I've always wanted to go into nursing, but missed out on college when I was younger.

"If you go down to the college to find out about a course, you can get sent all over the place for the information. It's better having somewhere in Hanley."

Linda Gibson, aged 55, from Milton, has also visited the education shop.

She said: "I've been looking at part-time courses. I'm interested in fashion and alternative therapy. Having the shop in Hanley is a good idea. A lot of people don't bother finding out about courses if they have to go to a college site. "

The Learning and Skills Shop is open on Mondays to Saturdays, between 9am and 4pm.