People looking for a change in career who cannot afford to study for the necessary qualifications to make the break are being advised to take advantage of a government loan scheme, according to a high street bank.

The Career Development Loan (CDL) scheme, run by the department for education and skills, lets anyone 18 or over and resident in the UK borrow between £300 and £8,000 to study.

The funds, which are available to people who intend to work in the EU when they have finished studying, cover two years of learning and can be paid back on a monthly basis when the course is completed.

CDLs are available through three high street banks: Barclays, The Co-operative and The Royal Bank of Scotland.

"It's a loan to help people take vocational courses," said a spokesperson from the Co-operative bank.

"The government pays the interest on the loan during the duration of the course. It allows you to enhance and change the direction of your career."