Skills development
Training and learning are great for your CV, they show employers that you are keen and help you stay positive.
You can find a local organisation who can help you find a course that will work for you by using our services directory.
Top up your everyday skills
Confidence in reading, writing, everyday maths and using computers is a part of many jobs. If you would value help just ask at your local library and they can tell you what is running near you. You can also search for courses on Cambridgeshire.net or ask for help from one of the organisations in the directory. Courses in these subjects are usually free, some even pay for transport for you to get to them.
Not having a qualification in English or Maths can be a particular barrier to getting into work and it is well worth finding out about courses in them.
Expand Lifelong learning
Whilst some people really enjoy their time at school for many it is a stressful and difficult time and thinking about learning can bring back challenging memories. Learning as an adult though, is a very different thing and has been shown to help your overall wellbeing – it can give you a new lease of life.
There is often a lower course charge for people on certain benefits and there might also be grants available to help.
To find out about local courses, try your local library, Adult Learning at Community Colleges, ask for help from one of the local organisations in the searchable directory, or try one of these websites:
Coursera – offer a range of learning opportunities
hotcourses.com – lists courses from yoga to degree courses
schoolofeverything.com – Find local courses and tutors
nationalcareersservice.direct.gov.uk – National Careers Service course finder
learndirect.co.uk – Provides information about its own course; careers job profiles; provides downloadable guides
Futurelearn – online learning
Expand Informal learning
You don’t need to join a course to learn, there are social groups like fitness or reading groups where you can meet people and improve your confidence in an area. You can find out more about local social groups in your area in local newsletters, looking on notice boards or asking on Facebook forums.
Expand Apprenticeships
An apprenticeship is a way of learning on the job whilst getting a salary. They are primarily targeted towards people aged 16 – 24, but there isn’t an upper age limit to applying. The apprenticeship vacancy search service could help you find an apprenticeship service
For more about apprenticeships, visit the official website: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/get-in-and-go-far-with-new-apprenticeships
Expand On-line learning
Whilst there are benefits of learning with other people, there are many on-line courses that you can do at home or in your local library. The following are some of those
Learn my way – this is an online learning tool covering computer skills, job skills, as well as plenty of information about how to make the most out of being online
BBC – this has lots of online learning resources for adults including internet skills as well as improving maths and English skills – please note that these pages are no longer being updated
Future learn – a huge variety of free courses from universities and other organisations
Digital unite not so much a course, as a library of easy-to-understand guides on how to do a wide range of things on your computer. Designed for older people but can be useful for anyone
Maths everywhere An interactive learning tool to help deal with the numbers and calculations in everyday life
Coursera – offer a range of learning opportunities
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