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Learning and Skills

For Learners...

Are you looking to upskill in English and Maths Online?

Keen to improve your reading, writing or maths skills?
Learn in your own time, at your own pace, for free. Rolling course entry dates.

Interested?
Click your preferred subject below to sign up!
Level 1:  Everyday English Online Course
Level 1:  Everyday Maths Online Course
Level 2:  Everyday English Online Course
Level 2:  Everyday Maths Online Course

 

 

Adult and Community Learning 

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Are you looking to return to work after a break or develop new skills?   Our courses are short and range from 12 hours to 30 hours. Qualification courses may be longer. All courses are delivered across a number of days or in 2 or 3 hour sessions over a half or full term. Learners are initially assessed at the start of the course and all learners are challenged to achieve no matter what their starting point.  Visit https://www.webenrol.com/swindon/Default.asp? 

 

Adult Learning and Skills for Life

Swindon Libraries and Information Service offer a range of free services to support you into work and with your digital skills.
 

Artswords Mentoring Service   

For writers at any stage of their creative writing experiences.  Whether you have work in progress, are stuck at a particular stage, or are not sure where to begin, mentoring may be able to help you.
 

Building Bridges Programme

The Building Bridges programme supports people across Swindon and Wiltshire who are facing significate challenges in being able to develop their skills, access education or move towards the world of work.

The programme is a partnership of organisations who are experts at supporting people and giving them the skills and confidence they need to move forward.  Taking part in the programme is voluntary and all of the advice and support is offered free of charge.  The programme is jointly funded by the European Social Fund and the National Lottery via the Big Lottery fund.

Website is www.buildingbridgessw.org.uk

Email hello@buildingbridgessw.org.uk

new combined logo

 


Career Pilot

   Career Pilot                                            

Careerpilot is a free careers information website aimed at 13-19 year old students. 

It provides information about all of the options that young people might choose, including apprenticeships, higher education and work.

Through funding from 20 universities and 6 NCOPs free access is allowed to students, staff and parents.  There is also a Reporting Zone that allows staff in schools and colleges to view student choices.  Training in schools & colleges is delivered as well as support and 1:1 careers guidance / student sessions.  Career Pilot is used by 60,000+ students annually.

 

Create Studios

Create Studios

 

Based in the heart of Swindon’s emerging cultural quarter, Create Studios is an award-winning digital agency growing the next generation of diverse digital media creatives through a range of production opportunities and experiences. 

Gurch

 

See their showreel to find out more.

2017-18 was a landmark year for Create, with the achievement of National Portfolio status from Arts Council England, acknowledging Create Studios’ track record of excellence in the sector.

 

fastforward

 

Fast Forward Training and Development, in partnership with New College have courses which are funded. 

Those who complete are awarded certificates from the awarding organisation, NCFE/CACHE.

• Understanding Nutrition and Health

• Common Childhood Illnesses

• Understanding Autism

• Understanding Mental Health Problems

• Certificate in Understanding Children and Young People's Mental Health

• Certificate in Understanding Specific Learning Difficulties

• Understanding Behaviour That Challenges

Enrolment is easy and those who are interested should contact Jess at distance.learning@newcollege.ac.uk.

 

Fresher’s Survival

Find information on banking, money management and more, via Which?

 

Further and Higher Education

Explore your options at 16 - There are many options open to you when you finish your GCSEs. You could choose to carry on studying some subjects you already like, or take a vocational qualification or an apprenticeship.

Apprenticeships and Internships - You can choose to train while you work by taking on an apprenticeship, traineeship or supported internship.  
 

Future Learn

Future Learn offers a selection of online courses from leading universities and cultural institutions from around the world.  These are delivered on step at a time and are accessible on mobile, tablet and desktop, so you can fit learning around your life.
 

Higher Futures Learning Hub

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Have a look at some exciting courses on offer locally; visit the Higher Futures Learning Hub here:  https://higherfutures.swlep.co.uk/learning-hub/courses

Musical Tuition in Swindon

If you are looking for group or private musical tuition in the Swindon area, have a look at the mgrmusic website.  Some tutors offer discounted prices if you are older, have a disability or are on benefits. 
 

National Careers Service

careers

 

The National Careers Service provides free, up-to-date impartial information, advice and guidance to help you make effective skills, careers, work and life choices.
Our friendly Careers Advisers are working in your local area, providing support for adults aged over 19 (or 18 plus if not in education, employment or training). We can help you:
• Identify your skills, experience and aptitudes
• Develop an action plan to help you achieve your goals
• Get new qualifications through our free accredited courses
• Access the wide range of learning and work opportunities available, including apprenticeships
• Make informed choices about your career options
• Move into employment or learning through upskilling or re-skilling

Face to face sessions are offered to customers requiring more support including: 18-24 year olds not in education, employment or training; adults who have been unemployed for more than 12 months; single parents; adults with special needs and/or disabilities; and unemployed adults aged 50 plus.

The service can also be accessed through telephone advice from our local advisers, through the National Careers helpline, offering webchat and telephone support, and on the National Careers Service website.
To find out more call us on 0800 100 900 (8am – 10pm, 7 days a week), visit www.nationalcareersservice.direct.gov.uk and follow National Careers South West and Oxon on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

 

New College and Free Distance Learning and NVQs!

For distance learning opportunities, find out more here.
 
For NVQs find out more here.
 

Open Learn

Open Learn is an online portal which provides free online learning, in the form of short courses.  It is provided by the Open University.  Take a look and see what you can discover!
 

The Swindon Philosophical Society

The Swindon Philosophical Society meets in term-time, on Fridays from 7.40 to 9.40, at the Friends’ Meeting House, Eastcott Hill, Swindon SN1 3JF. 

A typical evening’s format is a one hour talk, followed by an hour’s discussion – which generally continues in a nearby pub. Everyone is welcome.
 
Got an idea or a subject you want to present – just let them know – take a look at the archives for previous titles, it’s a pretty wide range!
 
There’s a charge of £2.00 (students free) to cover expenses.
 

U3A and Martin’s Story

Man

 

When I retired, the first 12 months were great! Time to do what I wanted. After that I soon realised that loss of work colleagues, clients and a structure to my life was eating away at me.

Then I joined U3A. A whole new world opened up. A world of new friends, interests, socialising, living life to the full whilst learning a bit and laughing a lot was something I had not envisaged. When I started to get involved with helping to run the organisation in Swindon life was complete again. I was a new man!

To find out what U3A can do for you go to www.swindonu3a.org.uk. From the home page, click on the Green Button to find the current Year Book which gives full information on what U3A is all about, and full details of over 160 interest groups.

U3A

 

 

Whitehead-Ross Education

Whitehead Ross

 

Whitehead-Ross Education is delivering a variety of Adult Community Learning programmes on behalf of Swindon Borough Council.  The courses are delivered in local libraries across Swindon, along with Voluntary Action Swindon, and include:

• Mathematics Skills – City and Guilds qualification (10 days)

• English Skills – City and Guilds qualification (10 days)

• Get into Work – Exploring Customer Service, Administration, Health & Social Care, Retail and Hospitality (3 days)

• Microsoft Office for the Workplace (4 days)

• Internet for Beginners (4 days) and iPad for Beginners (4 days)

 

Young Apprenticeship Ambassador Network

The Young Apprentice Ambassador Network (YAAN) is a community of inspiring, driven apprentices and former apprentices who have chosen to register as Young Apprentice Ambassadors in their local area. 

Young Apprentice Ambassador Network

 

If you are an apprentice or former apprentice, aged between 18-26 years, and would like to engage and inspire the apprentices of tomorrow, visit www.amazingapprenticeships.com/yaan  to find out more.