Skills for all

There are many providers of free courses, whether this be through colleges or other training providers. There are also many free online courses that are available to you and here we have a selection of courses that we’ve either used or signposted people to.

Free digital skills courses can be found here.

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:

• https://www.vision2learn.net/courses
• https://alison.com/
• https://www.open.edu/openlearn/free-courses
• https://www.learningcurvegroup.co.uk/

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: https://www.bbc.co.uk/teach/skillswise

There is also a selection of free resources for all ages that can be found here: www.britishcouncil.org/english/learn-online/websites-for-learners

Did you know that the National Careers Service (NCS) is a free service that adults can access for information, advice and guidance about careers, courses and work?

Here are some of the ways they can help you:

1. Advice line
   You can speak with a careers advisor any day of the week, from 8am to 10pm on 0800 100 900. Calls are free from landlines and most mobile numbers. To use the interpreter service, choose option 5.
2. Help to get a job
   The NCS website covers every stage of job hunting, including how to find vacancies, make effective applications and improve your interview technique. 
3. Identify your skills and interests
   Use the ‘Skills health check’ page to assess your strengths and the types of jobs that might be suitable for you. Visit: https://nationalcareers.service.gov.uk/get-a-job for more information.
4. Find out about new careers
   If you’d like to know more about different careers, the ‘Explore careers’ page has over 800 job profiles, which include helpful pointers on how to get started. More information can be found here: https://nationalcareers.service.gov.uk/explore-careers
5. Search for a course
   Use the ‘Find a course’ page to locate colleges and training providers in your area. Find out more here: https://nationalcareers.service.gov.uk/find-a-courseor check out the free courses they offer.

If you’d like to speak to a member of our Employment and Skills Support Team, please fill out the online form below.

Apprenticeships combine practical training in a job with study. You’ll get a chance to ‘earn while you learn’ and have time during the week to do your studies. Apprenticeships can be at different levels and lengths.

You can apply if you’re:

• 16 or over by the end of the summer holidays
• living in England
• not in full-time education

You can apply here:

• https://www.findapprenticeship.service.gov.uk/apprenticeshipsearch
• https://www.apprenticeships.gov.uk/#

If you don’t feel ready to take on an apprenticeship just yet, a traineeship is a shorter course that will also help you prepare for one. Just like an apprenticeship, a traineeship is a course with work experience. It can last up to six months.

You can apply if you’re:

• eligible to work in England
• unemployed and have little or no work experience
• aged 16 to 24 and qualified below Level 3

Find out more here: https://www.findapprenticeship.service.gov.uk/traineeshipsearch

Want to brush up your Maths, English or IT skills? 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.

We also provide a range of free ICT courses, from beginners upwards. Find out more on the Digital Skills page.

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.”

Please click here to view our Cambridgeshire-based centres.