Bedfordshire Employment

and Skills Service

Course Guide 2018-19

English, Maths, IT, ESOL,

Employability, Job Skills,

Health and Wellbeing,

Apprenticeships

FIND OUT MORE

www.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk/adultlearning

adult.learning@centralbedfordshire.gov.uk 0300 300 8110

Bedfordshire Employment and Skills Service

Course Guide 2018-19 Updated November 2018

The Bedfordshire Employment and Skills Service provides opportunities for residents in Central Bedfordshire and Bedford Borough to learn in the community.

Courses provide learning focused on employability and job skills to help and support residents to get into work, to support career progression or to progress to further learning.

Courses also provide learning and skills focused on supporting residents with specific needs related to disabilities, health conditions, mental ill-health or those affected by homelessness.

For more information about adult learning courses and support into work visit

www.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk/adultlearning

Courses are delivered by training providers offering a wide range of subjects and qualifications

For further information or to enrol on a course please contact the training provider delivering the course

Provider: BP Be Positive 07710 672867 info@bepositivenow.co.uk

www.bepositivenow.co.uk

Provider: BT Bedford Training and Assessment Centre 01234 228847 nvqhelp@bedford.gov.uk

www.bedford.gov.uk/education_and_learning/early_years_and_childcare/btac

Provider: DD BESS Direct Delivery 0300 300 8110 adult.learning@centralbedfordshire.gov.uk

www.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk/adultlearning

Provider: DR Disability Resource Centre 01582 470900 information@drcbeds.org.uk

www.drcbeds.org.uk

Provider: IM Impact Mental Health 01582 797596 enquiries@impactmh.org.uk

www.impactmh.org.uk

Provider: NO NOAH (Dunstable) 01582 726152 (Bedford) 01234 581108 academy@noahenterprise.org

www.noahenterprise.org/what-we-do/skills-employment-training

Provider: SS SSG 01234 340782 info@ssgservices.co.uk

www.ssgservices.org/Training/adult-learning/employability-courses

Provider: TA The Academy 0300 300 8131 academy@centralbedfordshire.gov.uk

www.theacademy-inspiringfutures.co.uk

If you are a Central Bedfordshire or Bedford Borough community group, setting or service

interested in hosting learning for residents, clients or service users please email

adult.learning@centralbedfordshire.gov.uk

English Courses

Step into English Non-accredited (12 hours) Provider: DD

First steps in building skills and confidence with English. Sessions include identifying English skills gaps, building some reading, writing, speaking or listening skills that meet immediate needs. Information and support will be given for progression to an ESOL or English qualification.

Moving Towards English (45 hours) Provider: DD

A course to continue building English skills while working towards Gateway unit qualifications that meet individual needs. A good next step for those not ready to undertake a full functional skills qualification.

Move On in English Functional Skills Qualification (45 hours) Provider: DD

A course to improve English skills and build confidence with reading, writing, speaking and listening. Learn in small, friendly groups to brush up on skills needed in everyday life and work with support to gain a qualification at a level to suit individual needs.

GCSE English GCSE (9-1) in English Language (120 hours) Provider: DD

A one-year course leading to a GCSE in English Language. This course provides the opportunity to explore the ways spoken language works and to write for the spoken voice in a variety of forms. Sessions cover developing skills in analysing language, writing skills for imaginative and practical tasks as well as Speaking and Listening Skills.

ESOL Courses (English for Speakers of Other Languages)

Step into ESOL Non-accredited (12 hours) Provider: DD

First steps in building skills and confidence with English for adults whose first language is not English. Sessions include identifying English skills gaps, building some reading, writing, speaking or listening skills that meet immediate needs. Information and support will be given for progression to an English qualification.

Move On in ESOL Award in ESOL Skills for Life (85 hours) Provider: DD

A course for those whose first language is not English to learn and improve speaking, listening, reading and writing skills. Learn in small, friendly groups to brush up on skills needed in everyday life and work with support to gain a qualification at a level to suit individual needs.

Introduction to ESOL for Work Non-accredited (54 hours) Provider: NO

A first steps course for adults with English as a second language who need to build English skills for work. Learners can move on to an ESOL for Work course or progress to working towards a qualification.

ESOL for Work Non-accredited (54 hours) Provider: NO

A course for adults with English as a second language to build work related English skills that improve employability. Support with volunteering opportunities to improve employability and English skills development is also given.

“I gained level 1 qualifications in English and maths and I am now

confident about working towards level 2. After that I will be able to

access a level 3 childcare course that will help me progress at work”

ICT Courses

Know IT Non-accredited (60 hours) Provider: DR

A course focussed on those with disabilities and health conditions and carers. Sessions cover building everyday skills for life and work including using email, browsing the internet and producing documents.

Step into Computing Non-accredited (12 hours) Provider: DD

First steps in building skills and confidence with ICT. Sessions include identifying software and hardware, online safety, security and working on documents, spreadsheets and presentations. Information and support will be given for progression to an IT qualification.

Move On in Computing Functional Skills ICT Qualification (45 hours) Provider: DD

A course that covers basic IT skills with a focus on problem-solving and being able to use IT effectively in everyday life and work. Sessions cover safe IT use, the Internet, communicating by email and Microsoft Office Word, Excel and PowerPoint with support to gain a qualification at a level to suit individual needs.

IT for Work and Life Non-accredited (24 hours) Provider: NO

A course for IT beginners to build skills in creating and saving documents, searching for jobs, using email to communicate with employers and sending documents such as CVs. Sessions include support completing online job applications and using universal job match to find work.

Maths Courses

Step into Maths Non-accredited (12 hours) Provider: DD

First steps in building skills and confidence with maths. Sessions include identifying maths skills gaps, building some maths skills that meet immediate needs. Information and support will be given for progression to a maths qualification.

Moving Towards Maths (45 hours) Provider: DD

A course to continue building maths skills while working towards Gateway unit qualifications that meet individual needs. A good next step for those not ready to undertake a full functional skills qualification.

Move On in Maths Functional Skills Qualification (45 hours) Provider: DD

A course to improve maths skills and build confidence using numbers, shape and space, measures and data handling. Learn in small, friendly groups to brush up on skills needed in everyday life and work with support to gain a qualification at a level to suit individual needs.

The Academy delivers apprenticeship training in:

• Early Years

• Supporting Teaching and Learning

• Business Administration

• Customer Services

• Public Services Operational Delivery

• Adult Social Care

Apprentices work for local employers where they build on-the-job practical skills with achievement of a qualification. Programmes take between 12 and 24 months to complete.

FIND OUT MORE 0300 300 8131 academy@centralbedfordshire.gov.uk

For details of all apprenticeships offered go to www.findapprenticeshiptraining.sfa.bis.gov.uk

and search for training provider Central Bedfordshire Council

Job Skills Courses

Early Years Settings Level 1 Provider: TA BT

Level 1 Award in an Introduction to Early Years Settings (51 hours)

This course develops basic knowledge of childcare in Early Years settings and covers working with children up to 6 years of age. Units include the value of play, the role of carers and volunteers and the importance of developing links in the local community. This course is an ideal way to start a career in Early Years and is suitable for those with minimal or no experience in the sector.

Early Years Education and Care Level 2 Provider: TA BT

Level 2 Certificate in an Introduction to Early Years Education and Care (269 hours)

This course prepares learners to work with children between birth and 5. The course consists of classroom based workshops, followed by assessor support for completion of a portfolio with course work, projects, assignments, independent study and research. Learners need to be in a work placement of 7 hours per week, ideally with one term’s experience.

Supporting Teaching in School Level 2 Provider: TA BT

Level 2 Certificate in Supporting Teaching and Learning in Schools (270 hours)

This course enables learners to build the knowledge and skills needed when supporting teaching and learning in the school environment. It covers a wide range of areas including children and young people’s development, supporting those with disabilities or special educational needs, communication and professional relationships.

“This course gave me practical skills for supporting children in

the classroom and the confidence to apply for a school job”

Support Work in Schools Level 2 Provider: TA

Level 2 Award in Support Work in Schools (80 hours)

This course provides the skills and knowledge required to work in the varied roles that school support staff may fulfil including administrative, lunch time supervisory, site support and technical roles. Positions that involve working directly with the children are also covered. Learners attend taught sessions delivered once a week/fortnightly and complete written tasks between sessions.

Mentoring to Support Learning Provider: TA

Level 2 Award in Mentoring (60 hours)

This course covers understanding the role of a mentor and developing the skills needed to become an effective mentor. Sessions include the role and practice of mentorship, being clear about mentor/mentee relationships, following good practice and the benefits of mentoring.

Working in Health and Adult Care Provider: TA

Level 2 Diploma in Care (307 hours)

This course covers the knowledge and skills required for those who would like to work or are working in a variety of different settings within the NHS or private care facilities. The content applies to a variety of roles, including adult care worker, healthcare assistant/support worker or personal assistant. Learners will need to be working, volunteering or on practical placement to be able to show competence in both knowledge and skills.

Hospitality Academy Level 2 Certificate in Hospitality and Catering Principles (206 hours) Provider: SS

The Hospitality Academy provides the opportunity to learn about and train within the hospitality industry by applying skills and knowledge within specific roles and positions. The academy gives an insight into the diverse jobs and roles within the sector from management to bar staff and from cleaning positions to clerical support so that work and career pathways can be identified to suit individual skills sets and interests. The academy includes a Level 2 Certificate in Hospitality and Catering Principles alongside First Aid at Work and a Food Hygiene Award to ensure CVs are relevant to job opportunities available.

Leisure Academy Level 2 Award in Employment Awareness in Active Leisure and Learning (277 hours) Provider: SS

The Leisure Academy provides the opportunity to work with a range of local employers to explore different roles within the sport and leisure industry and identify where skills and strengths could be utilised. The academy includes a Level 2 Award in Employment Awareness in Active Leisure and Learning to ensure CVs are relevant to job opportunities available.

Employability Courses

Know Your Way Non-accredited (144 hours) Provider: DR

A course focussed on those with disabilities and health conditions and carers. Sessions cover employment support including employability skills, IT techniques and personal development strategies to develop skills to help a move back into work.

Moving Towards Work Non-accredited (36 hours) Provider: NO

A course that supports adults furthest from employment and experiencing multiple barriers to move closer to work. Sessions cover employability skills including exploring potential job pathways and developing CVs to match while building confidence in moving forwards towards gaining work. Skills can continue to be built by joining the follow on Progressing Into Work course.

Progressing into Work Non-accredited (36 hours) Provider: NO

A course that supports adults furthest from employment with a focus on positive psychology and building confidence. Sessions cover practical issues including refining CVs for specific jobs and sectors of interest and mock interviews as well as talks from businesses and volunteering organisations to enable positive steps towards and into work and that often open up work opportunities.

Smart Job Search Entry 3 Award in Employability Skills (36 hours) Provider: BP

A short course that builds confidence finding work while learning cutting-edge techniques to find and secure employment. Sessions include one to one support to look at individual situations and career needs. Sessions cover using a smartphone to find work, producing an effective CV using the psychology of marketing, exploring purpose in life, boosting confidence using mind-set, winning at interview, understanding what employers want and making a good impression at work.

Smarter Job Search Entry 3 Certificate in Employability Skills (90 hours) Provider: BP

A course that builds confidence finding work while learning cutting-edge techniques to find and secure employment. Sessions include one to one support to look at individual situations and career needs. Sessions cover using a smartphone to find work, producing an effective CV using the psychology of marketing, exploring purpose in life, boosting confidence using mind-set, winning at interview, understanding what employers want and making a good impression at work.

Careers Ahead Level 1 Award in Exploring Occupational studies for the Workplace (19 hours) Provider: BP An innovative blend of occupational skills in customer services and support to help find work in any industry that involves an element of customer service. Sessions include learning about the trade secrets of customer service based jobs while gaining skills to apply for jobs and interview well. Success in gaining employment will be improved through confidence and techniques at interview along with a certificate that evidences customer service skills.

Jigsaw Level 1 Award in Workskills (3 credits) (54 hours) Provider: SS

An employability pathway course that provides support through the jigsaw of presenting in the best possible way at CV, application and interview stages. The course covers developing a compelling CV that captures the standard information required as well as the personal detail that makes a CV stand out and gives employers an insight into the person that they are employing. Job applications and interviews are also covered with top tips, mock environments and key techniques to apply to support success in gaining employment.

Live Smart Entry 3 Certificate in Personal and Social development (230 hours) Provider: SS

Live Smart promotes positive thinking and approaches to move forwards towards and into employment. Time is taken with individuals to plan and develop patterns and control around a range of personalised aspects and needs. With many barriers that prevent achievement of goals, particularly employment or career status, Live Smart will address some of these barriers ensuring individuals are prepared to engage in positive, meaningful and successful steps towards work.

Fast Track to Employment Certificate in Vocational Studies (110 hours) Provider: SS

This interactive and engaging course focuses on the skill sets required by employers to gain and sustain employment. Sessions including critical thinking, leadership in the work place, conflict management, communication and team working through active learning and reflective sessions. The programme incorporates industry speakers to provide an insight into what employers are seeking from employees and to share some of their own experiences relating to their own career progression. Sessions enable networking and links, confidence building ready for the workplace and expanding skills for CV development, including a Vocational Skills qualification, to maximise chances of employment.

Volunteering

Volunteering in the Community Non-accredited (24 hours) Provider: NO

A course to prepare for volunteering opportunities as a step towards work. Sessions include building the relevant skills, exploring opportunities that support employment ambitions and support applying for volunteering roles.

Health and Wellbeing Courses

YOU Programme Non-accredited (21 hours) Provider: IM

A course for adults experiencing mild to moderate mental ill health. Using the model of intentional peer support, the Impact team help with identifying well-being challenges, finding techniques to overcome pressures and barriers and creating plans to improve health and well-being with a clear focus on plans for the future.

YOUR Recovery Pathways Non-accredited (105 hours) Provider: IM

A course for adults experiencing mild to moderate mental ill health that follows on from the YOU Programme. Skills will be built to support and move forwards with recovery related to mental ill health so sufficient control is regained to participate in work, volunteering and learning as effectively as possible.

“I have moved forwards with my learning, gained a qualification and provide

peer support to others. I am leading a better and more purposeful life.”

Know Your Mind Non-accredited (30 hours) Provider: DR

A course focussed on those with disabilities and health conditions and carers. Sessions cover building skills through techniques such as mindfulness and meditation to relax, unwind and improve health and wellbeing.

Know Your True Self Non-accredited (30 hours) Provider: DR

A course focussed on those with disabilities and health conditions and carers. Sessions cover building skills in managing life changes, improving motivation, building confidence and planning next steps.

Creative Confidence for Work and Life Non-accredited (15 hours) Provider: NO

A range of art and craft activities to engage in learning, meet new people, reduce isolation and re-engage in society.

Our Information, Advice and Guidance Advisors give 1:1 help and support with the following:

Writing or updating CVs Searching for jobs

Making job applications Preparing for interviews Considering voluntary work

Considering job options Exploring training options

To book an appointment: Email ncs@centralbedfordshire.gov.uk Phone 0300 300 8110

Café Connect Local peer support in a relaxed, safe environment • make connections in the community • share experiences and learn from others • mutual support and friendship • connect with community activities, services and support • be active and live life to the full

For more information about Café Connect:

Biggleswade, Flitwick, Leighton Buzzard, Sandy

Call Community Action Bedfordshire on 01525 850559 or visit www.cabeds.org.uk/community-connections/cafe-connect

Arlesey, Houghton Regis, Caddington, Dunstable

Call Noah Enterprise on 01582 726152 or visit www.noahenterprise.org/what-we-do/cafeconnect

For more information about adult learning courses and support into work visit

www.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk/adultlearning