In the abstract, gaining a qualification in a subject a person has real enthusiasm for sounds great. Many Britons daydream of setting up their own business - from wishful thoughts of running an IT consultancy to a beauty therapy salon - and many know that the best way to achieve that is to gain a recognised qualification in the sector.

However, for a large number, such plans remain a vague desire. In the real world, with families to feed, mortgages to pay and bills to be met, few people are privileged enough to return to full-time education and fulfil their ambitions. Committing their family to several years of lower-earnings is a pretty drastic step. While a teenage student can work in a bar in the evenings to boost their income, an adult with a baby to feed or young family to spend time with cannot be a flexible.

Despite such barriers, the British dream of self-employment lives on. A study conducted by Abbey earlier this month showed that half of all people in the UK want to set up their own businesses but just one in six has taken steps to make it happen. Of course, part of such hesitation may result from concerns over the current economic situation but downturns do not last for ever and now could be the ideal time to begin planning for a future.

Fortunately, there are options for further study which do not require the massive life-changing commitment of leaving work completely. Distance learning qualifications can be gained at home and during a person's spare time, meaning they can study flexibly around their other commitments. The satisfaction of attaining such academic achievements at the same time as holding down a job or raising a family can be considerable. Furthermore, for people who do not want to run their own business but would rather use their new qualification to boost their existing career employers will often be impressed by the motivation and determination shown by someone who has juggled their family, work and studies successfully.

There are other satisfying factors as well. The government's adult learning pages explain that while developing skills and qualifications can increase a person's workplace options or even open the door to further study, it can also help someone develop skills they will use in their everyday lives such as helping a child with homework. Home study can teach skills such as self-discipline and build confidence, making it a popular choice even among people who have no intention of using it in their everyday lives. For some Britons, gaining enough IT skills to run a local group or charity's website is the full extent of their educational desires but it is still a worthwhile and fulfilling ambition.

For those Brits who do develop their talents and begin their own businesses, every further skill they then gain is one less thing they have to hire someone to take care of. By adding to their IT understanding, boosting their book-keeping and gaining insights into business development, an entrepreneur can transform themselves into more than a boss and an asset to the company and its future.