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The study explores the experiences and problems of 184 women undertaking Work Opportunities for Women (WOW) and Career Education for Women (CEW) retraining courses in the NSW Colleges of Technical and Further Education (TAFE), and the outcomes of their studies on their lives and aspirations. The areas addressed in the survey include employment and further study plans and outcomes, personal gains, relationships with family and friends, and perceived effects on children. Whilst the study found that the CEW and WOW courses are successful in helping participants to re-evaluate their existing abilities, to expand their skills and knowledge and to improve their levels of confidence, there are difficulties in coordinating the demands of study and the responsibilities of family life. Eight recommendations are made to improve the experiences of women attending the courses: provision of child care facilities; running courses within school hours; fee exemptions; travel concessions and study allowances; provision of fully equipped home room facilities; multi-mode delivery; continuation of funding; impact and importance of the computing component.