Community learning and skills service

FREE* Courses coming January 2023

Community Learning and Skills Service (CLaSS), are pleased to bring you our new course offer starting January 2023.

Please refer to our prospectus for more detailed information, or if you are using a mobile phone, our Course App also contains full details, plus any updates to course listings.

You can also find regular updates on our Facebook page.

*For adults aged 19+ with few or no qualifications.

*More detailed information about our courses and where charges may apply is available from our Community Learning Development Workers - phone numbers and emails can be found on page 5 of the Prospectus.

For our online courses you will need to have an internet connection and access to a computer or laptop. If you feel you need help with this, please discuss this with the Development Worker.

South Gloucestershire Council provides accessible and high quality learning opportunities for eligible adults to improve their skills and qualifications. This can benefit not only you, but your family, local businesses and the community. Our courses offer the opportunity for you to:

set goals towards your personal aspirations and recognise and value your achievements
grow in confidence so that you can engage effectively and contribute to your community
inspire your family and friends with the pleasure and value of learning
see learning as a positive experience and life long journey, seeking to continually develop and extend your skills, knowledge and understanding
develop positive routines and approaches which transfer to future learning or work

Page contents:

Who can benefit from adult learning
The courses we offer
Where and when classes take place
How much will a course cost
ESOL and accredited employability courses
Additional support for learners
How to apply for adult learning

Who can benefit from adult learning

Our courses meet the needs of many different learners including

learners who do not have a recent Level 2 qualification (5 GCSEs grade C/4 or above including Maths and English)
learners who are living with or have experienced mental and/or emotional health and wellbeing difficulties
learners who may be returning to learning or employment after a gap in time
learners who may be seeking to develop their skills to find employment or support children or grandchildren in school

The courses we offer

You can choose from a variety of learning opportunities, these are grouped into:

Wellbeing courses - e.g. cultural crafts, building confidence and assertiveness and an introduction to mindfulness
Employability courses - these are designed to improve your employability prospects and range from courses in childcare to awards in office administration
English and Maths courses up to Function Skills Level Two
English for speakers of other languages (ESOL)
IT courses - these cater for a range of learner needs from basic skills in using the internet to more advanced courses on using IT for work

Some of these courses are non-accredited. This means you do not receive a qualification at the end of the course but we also offer accredited courses with a range of qualifications.

Where and when classes take place

Our courses take place in accessible local venues, such as libraries, community halls and schools.

How much will a course cost

Most of our courses are FREE* and funded by the West of England Combined Authority (WECA.) To attend one, you must be aged 19 or over and:

• be a UK/EEA citizen and have been resident in the UK/EEA/Gibraltar for at least the last 3 years, and continuously since 31 December 2020

• EEA nationals to have also obtained settled/pre-settled status

• family members of UK/EEA nationals to have obtained settled/pre-settled status and been ordinarily resident in the UK or EEA for at least the previous 3 years on the first day of your course

• have refugee status or be a relative of a refugee

• granted discretionary, indefinite or exceptional leave to enter or remain

• Asylum seeker, resident in the UK for 6 months or longer, or receiving Local Authority support

Some other people are also eligible – please contact us for further guidance.

*Please contact us for further information about course charges that may apply in some cases.

We are also providing courses for adults recovering from mental health problems. These learners are eligible for free courses even if they have previously achieved educational qualifications above Level 2 / GCSE.

For further details contact us on 01454 864613 or email community.learning@southglos.gov.uk

Accredited employability

These courses are free if you are on any of the following work-related benefits:

Job Seekers Allowance
Employment Support Allowance (in the Work-related Activity Group)
Universal Credit
Council Tax Benefit (not including the 25% single occupancy discount)
Housing Benefit
Income Support
Working Tax Credit
Asylum Seeker Allowance

If you do not qualify for free courses, you will need to pay a £3 per hour fee.

Additional support for learners

Our classes are inclusive and we welcome everyone. Resources can usually be adapted to meet specific needs. Support workers are also welcome to attend alongside learners if appropriate.

We may be able to help with childcare on an individual basis, if that enables you to attend a course. Please contact us on 01454 865924 or by emailing community.learning@southglos.gov.uk for details.

If you are recovering from mental health problems, you can speak to a development worker in confidence about your learning needs. They will help you to choose the right course and continue to be a supportive point of contact throughout.