IT’S NEVER TOO LATE TO LEARN AND ACHIEVE YOUR GOALS
We will fund you to learn if you are aged 19 or older and live in South Yorkshire, so that you can improve your skills, get back to work, remain and progress in work.
It's really important for you to have the necessary skills and qualifications to get ahead in your chosen career path.
Through the Adult Education Budget we support fundamental programmes, including; Maths, English, English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) and Digital/IT, which will develop your skills no matter what goal you want to achieve.
We also fund full and part-time courses across our region that include; construction, green skills, manufacturing, healthcare, retail, logistics and transport and many other options.
The learning is available in Further Education colleges, training providers, and community organisations and supports you if you are either employed or unemployed. This training opportunity will help you to get the skills you need to find or progress in a job, a Traineeship or Apprenticeship, or continue your journey with further learning.
Check out the links below, find your course and achieve your goals...
Approved Training Providers 2023/24
Back 2 Work Complete Training
B2W Group are excited to be delivering our new employment support programme including qualifications within Digital and IT Skills and 1-1 Functional skills training, this programme is designed to help young people between the age of 19-24, who are not in education or employment, to gain skills and remove barriers to progression.
Our team specialises in helping those furthest from employment, we also specialise in SEN support, giving full support and understanding to complete all qualifications, in addition, all participants will receive 1-1 support from a dedicated keyworker and have access to a £300 budget to help remove barriers such as lack of transport, lack of digital devices, interview clothes etc
We are offering qualifications to ensure this is inclusive to all levels of learners, please see below the overview of qualifications:
- Award in Cyber Security
- Award in Website Design
- Award in Games Design and Development
- Award in Introduction to Programming
- Extended Certificate in Employability Skills
- Functional skills Maths and English
- IAG Support
We also will be offering our learners the opportunity to gain pre-apprenticeship training and work with our apprenticeship team to give learners the chance to gain employment within the digital sector.
Email: buildingfutures@b2wgroup.com
Telephone: 0114 3123652
Text: 07971754624
Website: https://b2wgroup.com/building-futures/
To refer: Building Futures Candidate Referral Form (office.com)
Barnsley College
Recognised as Outstanding by Ofsted, Barnsley College offers a range of adult learning courses at different levels, whether you want to learn a new skill, change career or brush up on your English and Maths skills.
With subjects ranging from Art to Computing, Sport to Business and Animal Care to Hairdressing, and qualifications from vocational courses and GCSEs to apprenticeships to Higher Education, there is something for everyone.
With the newly refurbished SciTech Digital Innovation Hub, T Levels provision and links to regional industry contacts and businesses, Barnsley College supports residents who are out of work to improve their skills and employability. The College also offers adults currently in employment, self-employed or at risk of redundancy the opportunity to develop their talents and improve their career prospects.
To find out more about Barnsley College’s latest part-time courses and to apply for a place, get in touch:
Email: info@barnsley.ac.uk
Telephone: 01226 216 123
Barnsley Council - Adult Skills and Community Learning
Barnsley Council’s ASCL has a long standing history of working with partners across the town to challenge disadvantage through learning, skills development and employment. The organisation works to improve confidence, self-esteem or employability of Barnsley residents and get them ready for, in to or further on in work or learning.
ASCL provides courses in Maths, English, IT & Digital Skills, English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL), Working with Children & Families, Health & Social Care, Creative Wellbeing, Positive Thinking, Employability, Health & Safety, Food Safety and First Aid. It also delivers learning focused on:
- Employment, skills and qualifications: getting people on to the skills ladder to gain, retain and progress in work
- Wellbeing: supporting people with physical and mental health issues to participate positively in their community and/or move into or retain work
- Reducing isolation, promoting integration and bringing communities together
- Helping people acquire the characteristics to participate fully in life and work
- Helping people navigate challenges such as redundancy and parenthood
For more information on the training programmes available through Barnsley Council ASCL, contact:
Email: adultlearning@barnsley.gov.uk
Telephone: 01226 775270
Website: www.barnsley.gov.uk/services/adult-skills-and-community-learning/
Big Ambitions CIC
Big Ambitions CIC specialises in vocational support and sustainable employment as a therapeutic tool to improve mental health conditions and overall wellbeing. Whether entering employment, volunteering, accessing training and education or improving personal development skills, the organisation aims to help people to move towards their goals whilst supporting their mental health.
The company offers a personalised keyworker service to any residents struggling to progress and can provide:
- Advice, guidance, and 1:1 support to identify where you want to be and support you in getting there.
- Personal development training including confidence building or assertiveness training.
- Wellness coaching including development of coping strategies.
- Support with CV writing, application forms, interview techniques, and job search tips.
- Training and placement opportunities.
- On-going support to help you maintain your success.
For more information and to find out how to access support and training from Big Ambitions CIC, contact:
Email: enquiries@bigambitions.org.uk
Telephone: 01142760039
Website: www.bigambitions.org.uk
Bright Direction Training
Bright Direction Training helps people gain employment and career progress through learning and ability development.
Courses currently available through Bright Direction Training include:
The organisation is offering employed and self-employed residents across all areas of South Yorkshire access to:
- Level 2 and Level 3 (extended) diplomas in Personal Training & Leadership.
This qualification is designed to introduce learners to the active leisure sector, enabling them to prescribe, plan and deliver safe and effective exercise programmes whilst developing their skills knowledge to pursue a career in personal training.
To find out more about undertaking a Personal Training & Leadership diploma with Bright Direction Training, contact:
Email: info@brightdirectiontraining.co.uk
Telephone: 01204 859 859
Website: www.brightdirectiontraining.co.uk
Chesterfield College
The Chesterfield College Group is a leading provider with a national reputation for the quality of provision.
The College is at the heart of the community and works extensively in partnership with local employers so we are able to support adults improve their skills and employability.
Located in the centre of Chesterfield the College offers a range of adult courses at different levels. Courses range from Access to Higher Education to AAT to English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) there is something for everyone.
Find out more at: chesterfield.ac.uk
DN College Group
DN Colleges Group is a dynamic education provider in South Yorkshire, Greater Lincolnshire and the Humber Region, focussed on transforming our communities through learning.
Every year, we inspire thousands of students to develop skills that will help them reach their full potential. We offer a wide range of further education, adult education and higher education choices, professional and technical qualifications, apprenticeships and bespoke courses, with a variety of full-time and part-time training options.
Supporting our students as they begin or develop their careers is at the heart of everything we do. We work closely with our local and regional communities to support a wide range of employers and partners. We understand their needs and we focus on providing support for future employment requirements by ensuring our students today develop the skills and qualifications for the jobs of tomorrow.
Courses currently available through DN Colleges Group include:
- Higher Education
- Apprenticeships
- Study Programmes (Age 16 - 19)
- Adult Learning (Age 19+)
- Unemployed or Returning to Work
- International Students
- Employer and Bespoke Courses
- International Work Placements
To find out more about the courses and training programmes available through DN Colleges Group, contact:
Email: info@dncolleges.ac.uk
Website: www.dncolleges.ac.uk
Doncaster Council
Funded through the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority, the Adult Family Community Learning (AFCL) service operates across the Borough encouraging Doncaster residents who are 19+ to participate in Adult Learning.
Whether you are looking to improve your confidence, skills, gain a qualification or just want to learn something new, we are sure you will find a course.
Courses currently available through Doncaster Council include:
- FS Maths all levels
- English all levels
- ESOL Entry 1 to Entry 3
- Family & Community Learning
- Digital Skills
Email: afcl@doncaster.gov.uk
Telephone: 01302 862688
Website: www.doncaster.gov.uk/services/schools/adult-family-and-community-learning
Eden Training Solutions
Eden Training Solutions’ aim is to help people to reach their potential by developing their knowledge and skills through leading edge vocational and bespoke training programmes in the Business, Fitness, Education and Childcare sectors.
The company is currently offering training programmes for residents in South Yorkshire that are in low-paid employment or at risk of redundancy.
Courses currently available through Eden Training Solutions include:
- Functional Skills English and Maths (at all Levels)
- Essential Digital Skills
- Level 2 Certificate in Gym Instructing
- Gym 2 and PT 3 combined diploma.
For more information and to find out how to register with Eden Training Solutions, get in touch:
Email: info@eden-ts.com
Telephone: 0800 756 3985
Website www.eden-ts.com
Empower by Endorphins
We are Empower by Endorphins - We run a wide range of inclusive programmes for both adults and children. Our biggest aim is to help individuals to feel healthy and happy so that they can reach their full potential.
With extensive experience across a range of sectors, including - training, education, health, well-being and community cohesion, we have a strong track record of designing and delivering innovative programmes that make a positive difference to mental, emotional and physical health.
To find out more about the Endorphons Group, contact:
Email: empower@endorphins.uk
Telephone: 0330 1332642
Website: https://endorphins.uk/empower/
Free 2 Learn
Free2Learn is a leading training provider in the UK. We have been helping the unemployed reach their full potential since 2010. Providing government funded, free training courses and programmes to help those in unemployment learn new skills to apply, secure and maintain employment.
Free2Learn gives you the skills you need to find work and achieve your potential. We aim to provide quality training, fully funded, in a friendly and supportive environment. Since 2010, our mission has remained simple: build skills, build communities, grow stronger together.
Courses currently available through Free2Learn include:
- Business Administration
- CCTV
- Close Protection
- Construction
- Digital Skills
- Fabrication and Welding
- Functional Skills
- Security
- Understanding Business Improvement Techniques
- Warehouse
Email: achieve@free2learn.org.uk
Telephone: 01302 373 003
Website https://free2learn.org.uk/
Good Work Skills
Developed by the South Yorkshire Housing Association as part of the organisation’s mission to support people across the region, Good Work Skills is an innovative programme that helps residents with mental and physical health conditions, as well as people experiencing low wellbeing, to find and keep quality employment.
Programme participants are supported to identify their key strengths and with the support of a keyworker, earn digital badges that can be used in in CVs, on job sites and in interviews. It’s part of a new micro-accreditation scheme, developed by City and Guilds and the Royal Society of the Arts (RSA). Good Work Skills is designed to be flexible and modular, so learners can earn the badges while job-searching and build on them when in work. In addition, learners are given access to one-to-one support from a keyworker and a wide range of wellbeing support such counselling and online mental health care.
To find a course from Good Work Skills or to discuss your eligibility, contact:
Email: goodwork@syha.co.uk
Call: 0114 2900 218
Longley Park Sixth Form College
Longley Sixth Form
At Longley Park Sixth Form College we make sure our students have the best possible education and experience.
We also do more than simply getting you through your exams - we help you define your unique goals. Whether you're aiming for university or are ready to train for a career, it's time to start working on you.
If you’re looking for inspiration and guidance from a college that has your best interests at heart, then look no further than Longley Park.
Project You is our promise to support you on your journey every step of the way.
Courses currently available through Longley Park Sixth Form College include:
- Business
- Childcare
- Creative Arts & Media
- English
- Health & Social Care
- Humanities
- IT & Computing
- Law
- Maths
- Science
- Sport
- GCSEs, ESOL, Functional Skills
To find out more about the courses and training programmes available through Longley Park Sixth Form College, contact:
Email: enquiries@longleypark.ac.uk
Telephone: 0114 262 5757
Website: www.longleypark.ac.uk
Momentum
Momentum Recruitment is a UK Nationwide Provider of Temporary, Contract and Permanent Recruitment Solutions to companies of all sizes from SME’s, through to Blue Chips and Multinationals.
We currently operate UK Nationwide Service with our Recruitment Branch Network Momentum Recruitment Group provide employment opportunities for professional candidates for permanent, temporary, interim and contract roles based in the South, West Midlands and internationally.
Over many years we have built a global reputation for helping match clients and candidates to ensure the right person gets the perfect job.
We have expanded our operations over the last 10 years to include industry training to help give clients the right skills to get into work and to progress.
Courses currently available through Momentum Group include:
Construction Course – Health & Safety in a Construction Environment, Introduction to Construction and Substance Misuse. At the end of the course Momentum will pay for up to 2 CSCS tests and the CSCS Green Card (labourer).
Welding Course – Tungsten Inert Gas Welding (TIG), Metal Inert Gas welding (MIG), Manual Metal Arc Welding, Cutting Materials using Saws and Abrasive Wheels, Team Leading. SWAP set up with guaranteed interviews with a local employer.
FLT Course – Team Leading, Equality & Diversity, Substance Misuse and Introduction to Warehousing. At the end of the course, Momentum will pay for the learner to get their Counterbalance and Reach Licence. Also set up as a SWAP with local employer to offer guaranteed interviews.
Security Course – Team Leading, Equality & Diversity, Substance Misuse, Emergency First Aid at Work and Door Supervisor. At the end of the course, Momentum will pay for up to 3 attempts at the SIA assessment and the Door Supervisor badge. Also sent up as a SWAP with local employer who is offering stewarding work to learner whilst they wait for their badges to arrive.
Email: training@momentumgroup.org.uk
Call: 01332 343515
Website: www.momentumgroup.org.uk
PET-XI
PET-XI aims to help people aged 19-24 who are unemployed or are care leavers to develop their resilience and confidence and supports a transition into learning, further education and/or pre-employment to securing a role and keeping it long-term.
The organisation is offering young adults in South Yorkshire access to Digital Employability, ICT English and Maths, and Career Profiling training, with the following qualifications:
- Level 1 IT User Skills
- Level 2 Certificate in IT User Skills (ITQ)
- Certificate in Employability
- Courses include Levels 1 or 2 Maths and/or English
Learners taking part in the above qualifications will also receive a tailored ‘moving on plan’ to help further their career opportunities and signpost them to additional support activities including one to one sessions with a specialist advisor. Each participant also has access to flexible interactive learning and support via virtual classrooms and a Virtual Leaning Environment with enhancements such as CV building.
For more information, contact PET-XI on:
Email: info@pet-xi.co.uk
Call: 024 7642 0310
Website: www.pet-xi.co.uk
RNN Group
RNN Group offers education services to adults living in Rotherham and the Dearne valley and is comprised of Rotherham College, University Campus Rotherham, Dearne Valley College, North Notts College and subsidiaries.
The Group offers full time, part time, and online learning on site at college venues, in community venues and at employer locations for adults aged over 25. The organisation also provides support for adult ages 19-25 with established EHCP or similar high needs requirements, apprenticeship advice, Commercial Employer Training and Higher Education Training, as well as careers advice and guidance for the long term unemployed, recently redundant and economically inactive.
Course available through the RNN Group cover a variety of areas/sectors including:
- Employability
- Community-Based Courses
- Essential Skills
- Engineering
- Construction
- Health & Social Care
- Hospitality & Catering
- Creative Industries
- Digital Industries
- Salon Industries (Hair & Beauty)
- Sport & Leisure
- Public Services
Contact the RNN Group for more information and to discuss the different course available through the AEB:
Email: enquiries@rnngroup.co.uk
Call: 01709 362111
Website: www.rnngroup.co.uk
Sheffield City Council
Family, Adult and Community Education Service within Sheffield City Council’s Lifelong Learning will provide innovative, high quality, learning activities that will improve the life chances of Sheffield adults and their families, and help them to inspire their future generations.
Our core values recognise that everyone is different, and that everyone matters; we will ensure equality of opportunity, address social exclusion, and widen participation, raising confidence and facilitating personal achievement.
We work with other learning partners and the VCF sector across the city to ensure access to the most appropriate programme for every individual.
- ESOL
- Functional Maths and English
- Essential Digital Skills
- Family Learning
- Well-being
- Employment Skills
To find out more about the courses and training programmes available through Sheffield City Council, contact:
Email: faces@sheffield.gov.uk
Telephone: 0114 22946144
Website: www.sheffield.gov.uk/home/schools-childcare/adult-community-learning
Standguide
Founded in 1990, Standguide Limited continues to support hundreds of employers and thousands of participants per year, providing employment advice, funded qualifications and business mentoring and recruitment.
Standguide Limited’s comprehensive and successfully delivery portfolio includes employment, education and rehabilitation services UK-wide on behalf of the Department for Work & Pensions, Education & Skills Funding Agency, NHS and Ministry of Justice, as well as local and combined authorities, both as a direct deliverer and through effective management of supply chain partners.
Our training courses are built around your company needs, ensuring we find the right people for your business. We source potential candidates, screen them, provide them with a tailored training programme and then put them through your organisation’s assessment process.
Our tailored package will improve the skills levels and understanding of candidates before they even arrive for interview and will not only upskill your workforce, but drive commitment whilst in employment.
Funded Training for your Workforce
As a group, working together we will:
- Source a diverse spectrum of candidates through both our current Employability Programmes and other recruitment sources
- Screen each individual candidate to the appropriate standard
- Qualify each candidate to the appropriate level and ensuring they are all at the skills level to progress through to interview stages
- Support each candidate throughout the Interview process with Information, Advice and Guidance
- Continue to work with each candidate once in position with a range of aftercare support.
- Level 1 and Level 2 Preparing to Work in Adult Social Care – accredited by NCFE. Taught Remotely
What does the qualification cover?
This qualification provides an ideal taster for those who may be new to the sector or new to the world of work. It is accessible to learners of all ages who may want to understand more about working in health and social care. It aims to introduce some basic concepts of caring and preparation for employment in the sector.
The qualification covers the areas of communication, equality, diversity and inclusion, personal development, role of the social care worker, handling information, health and safety, safeguarding, duty of care and person-centred approaches.
Level 2 Certificate in Principles of Customer Service – Taught Remotely and Face to Face
This qualification aims to:
- provide learners with the underpinning knowledge that is required by employees to work in a range of different environments within a customer service role
- develop essential knowledge of how to carry out customer service tasks, such as how to manage information and supporting events
- know how to apply their knowledge in a variety of industries and job roles.
Level 2 Certificate in Understanding Excellence in Customer Service for Hospitality Taught Remotely and Face to Face
This qualification aims to :
This qualification is designed for learners who are looking to enter, or progress within, employment in the hospitality sector. It will enable learners to develop knowledge and understanding of excellence in customer service for the hospitality sector.
- communicating with customers in the hospitality sector
- teamwork in the hospitality sector
- professional standards and personal development
- legislation and regulations relating to customer service delivery in the hospitality sector
To find out more about the courses and training programmes available through Standguide, contact:
Email: media@standguide.co.uk
Telephone: 0161 881 4826 (option 5)
Website: www.standguide.co.uk
The Construction Skills People
Construction Skills People specialises in upskilling the existing construction workforce by providing access to a range of NVQ courses and additional training programmes. Construction Skills People operate Skills Academies in Rotherham and Sheffield that provide construction skills training to the unemployed
Using Adult Education Budget funding, we are providing South Yorkshire residents who are out of work and actively looking for a job the opportunity to undertake and gain both practical and theoretical skills in construction or other trades such as Painting & Decorating, Joinery and Brickwork.
In addition, residents of South Yorkshire who are already in working in the construction sector and looking to up-skill can take NVQ Level 2 or Level 3 courses to update their skills and enhance their future career opportunities.
Courses currently available at Construction Skills People’s Skills Academies include:
- Construction and Environmental
- Painting & Decorating
- Joinery
- Brickwork
To view the range of NVQ courses, head to https://www.constructionskillspeople.com.
Email: info@skillspeoplegroup.com
Telephone: 0800 1303225
Website: www.constructionskillspeople.com or skillsacademies.com
The Northern College for Residential Adult Education
Northern College is the only adult residential college in the North. Study at Northern College and you will benefit from a unique adult learning environment which includes:
- studying alongside like-minded adults
- residential accommodation so you can focus on your studies and receive wrap-around support
- access to surrounding acres of National Trust gardens and parkland free for you to explore
- staff specialising in adult education to support you every step of the way
- excellent student achievement rates, regardless of entry level
- a welcoming and inclusive learning environment
- studying at a college graded as Outstanding by Ofsted.
We are relatively small college with creates a strong community feel. Each year we build an adult learning community made up of our students, teaching and student support teams. Our community works together to ensure that everyone reaches their full potential and gains the skills to go onto further or higher education, and new and better jobs. This includes adult who want to gain new employment, or make a career change.
Most of our courses are residential, giving you the opportunity to stay with us on campus to focus on your studies. This may involve one night on a short course, a week’s intensive programme or a longer course over nine months where you could live on campus.
Being residential means that you build a strong learning bond with the other students on your course, and you’ll have more access to our team for that extra support to achieve the best you can. We also offer courses partly on campus (residential or non-residential) and partly online, or wholly online.
If you’ve not been to our campus yet, you should visit. We offer free virtual and on-campus open events and tours for any adult interested in returning to education. Teaching takes place in Wentworth Castle, a fabulous grade I listed house which is set in over 500 acres of amazing National Trust gardens and parkland. This is all available for our students to access throughout their studies.
Courses currently available through Northern College include:
- Access to Higher Education
- Business & Enterprise
- Community & Social Action
- Counselling
- Digital & IT
- English & Maths
- Health & Care
- Skills for Work
- Social Studies
- Education
- Personal Wellbeing
- Outdoor Learning
Email: advice@northern.ac.uk
Telephone: 01226 776000
Website: www.northern.ac.uk
The Sheffield College
The Sheffield College teaches and trains around 14,000 young people and adults a year. Our mission is transforming lives through learning.
We provide a wide range of academic, vocational and professional qualifications, from entry through to degree level, and we work with approximately 2,700 employers.
Our students get the qualifications and skills they need to go further in their careers including progressing to apprenticeships, employment and the next level course at college or university.
Our training solutions enable employers to address skills gaps, accelerate business performance and boost competitiveness and growth.
Courses offered at The Sheffield College Group include:
Access to Higher Education Diploma in:
- Business Studies
- Computing
- Education
- Humanities, English and Social Science
- Law Professionals
- Media and Photography
- Nursing
- Policing
- Science
Other courses offered
- Accounting
- Automotive and Motor Vehicle Technology
- Applied Science
- Biology
- Bricklaying
- Carpentry and Joinery
- Chemistry
- Criminology
- Dental Technology
- Dog Grooming
- Electrical Installation
- Engineering
- Fitness Instructing
- Forklift Truck Operations
- Get into Learning and Work
- Health and Social Care
- Horticulture
- Introduction to the Construction Industry
- IT
- Painting and Decorating
- Personal Training
- Pre-Access Diploma
- Plumbing
- Rail Engineering
- Route to Employment – Security
- Taxi Driving
- Teaching Assistants
- Warehousing and Storage
To find out more and browse the various courses and skills programmes available at The Sheffield College, contact:
Email: info@sheffcol.ac.uk
Telephone: 0114 260 2600
Website: www.sheffcol.ac.uk
Workers' Educational Association (WEA)
WEA is the UK’s largest provider of adult education in the voluntary sector. Founded in 1903, their mission is to bring adult education within reach of everyone who needs it, fighting inequality and promoting social justice. Today, they continue to empower adults by bringing great teaching to local communities, reaching tens of thousands of learners each year. They provide a variety of adult skills and community learning courses all across South Yorkshire, and help our learners get the skills, qualifications and experience needed to progress into further education and employment. Here are some of the courses currently available across South Yorkshire:
Barnsley
- Sewing Skills
- Creative Learning Cooking
- Managing Your Stress Through Creative Writing
Doncaster
- Confidence & Living in the UK Citizenship
- Creative Learning Cooking
- Stonehenge Through Artists' Eyes
- Managing Stress
Rotherham
- Introduction to Hair & Makeup
- Level 2 Support Work in Schools & Colleges
- Catering Skills - Cake Decorating
- Catering Skills - Working Safely
- Introduction to Nails & Beauty
- ESOL – Introduction for Speaking and Listening Entry 3
Sheffield
- Marketing Your Own Business
To find out more and browse the various courses and skills programmes available through the WEA visit www.wea.org.uk or call 0300 303 3464.
Case studies
Candidates from across South Yorkshire have agreed to share their experience of the programmes they've completed, funded by the Adult Education Budget in South Yorkshire. Read their stories below.