Learndirect have relaunched their website with a fun, user-friendly look.

On entering the site you're greeted by cartoon characters, who pop up with dialogue boxes every now and then to help you along. The homepage offers you the option of looking for a course, finding support to undertake training or getting some careers advice.

In the course section there are 300 courses to choose from, although currently you have to ring the helpline on 0800 100 900 for an adviser to search through them (they're working to bring the directory on-line).

In the advice centre there's a nice interactive area for self-assessment, enabling you to match your interests to a long list of comprehensive job profiles, although somewhat oddly the site is lacking in information about internet-related jobs.

You can build a personalised portfolio here (although it costs £23.50 per year), which will be updated with details of relevant job vacancies and learning news on a regular basis.

The support area includes informatiion about childcare options, how to arrange funding for courses, advice for prospective students with special needs.