Skills for all
Do you need to upskill? Do you want to gain a qualification?
Maybe you’re unsure what to do and need some advice. Please click on the headings below, for more information.
If you would like to have an informal chat about your options, please get in touch using our online form below.
There are many providers of free courses, whether this be through colleges or other training providers. Get in touch with the Employment and Skills team and we will advise about what our partners are offering in your area.
We also provide a range of free ICT courses, from beginners upwards. Find out more on the Digital Skills page.
For a wide range of general courses, which range from short courses to some offering a nationally-recognised qualification, please click on the links below. There are other providers available - here are just a few to help you on your way:
If you’re an adult wanting to brush up on your reading, writing and numeracy skills, then the BBC website has the Skillswise page to help.
There is also a selection of free resources for all ages that can be found on the British Council website.
Want to brush up your Maths, English or IT skills and achieve a qualification? Our Community Programmes running from our Cambridgeshire-based centres can help.
Our Maths and English courses are free to anyone 19 and over who has lived in the UK or EEA for at least three years. Our IT courses are usually free if you’re in receipt of certain benefits or you earn below a certain threshold – please contact us to find out more.
The courses are completed online, with tutor support, and the programmes are devised around your current knowledge. This means that you can achieve your qualification quicker and at a pace that suits you. At the end of the course, the tutor will make arrangements with you for testing, according to the national guidelines at that time.
What can you expect from us?
- We will endeavour to respond to your enquiries as soon as possible
- We will discuss your preferred contact arrangements and deal with any queries during our normal working hours
- We will assist you during each step of your learner journey, with one-to-one support from an experienced tutor
- We will discuss your next steps following achievement of the course and signpost you to further support.
What do we expect from you?
- Access your course on a regular basis
- Make your tutor aware of any necessary breaks in learning. If there is no access for over 4 weeks, you may have to be withdrawn from the course
- Complete around 55 Guided Learning Hours for English and maths, and around 45 for ICT
- Complete and update any necessary paperwork for the course.
If you’re able to study online from home and would like to improve your skills and achieve a qualification, please contact us via the form below. Some of our centres are open to the public – please speak to us if you are interested in visiting a centre in person. You can also contact us on 01480 214685 or email us at EmploymentAndSkills@longhurst-group.org.uk.
Here’s what some of our previous learners had to say:
- “I obtained qualifications that really helped me get on to my college course.”
- “I now feel confident and can go on to an Access course online in the future.”
- “It helped me move on in life, a tremendous help.”
- “The course has helped me feel really confident to do even more learning.”
A customer says he’s been able to keep his brain active thanks to the work of colleagues at our Skills and Development Centre…