Demand is soaring for short courses, from drumming to shoe-making, among people seeking a portfolio career—and it’s good news fo

Demand is soaring for short courses, from drumming to shoe-making, among people seeking a portfolio career—and it’s good news for colleges and universities. "Initially, I(26)enrolled in a short course because I wanted a pair of fitted knee-length(27)boots and had difficulty finding any to fit, so I thought I would try making some," Baughan explains. "The more I’m learning, the more I think I would like to change my career(28)in the long term." Baughan believes the current(29)economic climate means it’s a good idea to have a variety of skills in different areas—it should make you more(30)employable.
    It’s not just creative subjects that are growing in popularity. So, too, are marketing and commercial courses. There is a(31)surge in demand for business-related courses from people who want to start selling their products online and running a business in the evenings and weekends. Experts say this kind of short course is often as popular among those just looking for a hobby. That’s the(32)case for lawyer Sam Ross, 27, who has just spent ￡ 199 on a ten-week course in songwriting at the Institute of Contemporary Music in Kilburn, north London. "I have been working as a lawyer and wanted to find some time to work on my hobby," he explains. He’s not about to(33)turn away from the law, but is enjoying involvement in both worlds. "The legal market is so(34)competitive and the job requires a lot of time and attention," Ross adds. "I still wanted to try and(35)nurture a hobby that has fallen by the wayside with a course. "