Whether it’s keeping up to date with progress in technology or learning new skills to step up the career leader, adult education is in demand – and Northampton College is responding by laying on bespoke courses tailored to individual employers to maximise the potential of their staff.
The award-winning college, recently named the fifth best for student achievement in the whole of the UK, has expanded its adult education provision to offer specialist courses aimed at helping employees to upskill and boost their career prospects.
From basic courses in the fundamentals of maths and English, right through to technical qualifications in coding or mental health first aid, students are able to access specialist education to increase their knowledge.
Sharon Bunker, manager of essential skills at Northampton College, said:
“Adult learning is very much a growing area. The vast majority of adults we enrol already have a job but they want to do better either in that job and get promotion or gain the qualifications they would need to get a position elsewhere. Some just want to keep up to date with changes in technology while some just want to refresh their skills to be able to help their kids with homework. Whatever the situation, all our learners are extremely focused and hard-working and we enjoy helping them to achieve their goals.”
Qualifications are available from Foundation right through to Level 3 and above, and – for big cohorts – employers can tailor the content of courses to suit their staff.
Sharon added:
“We work with a number of major local employers to shape the courses around the particular needs of the learners.
“For example, we enjoy a healthy partnership with the NHS to enable them to deliver maths and English to their staff, particularly those in thelow-paid care sector who want to progress to a nursing degree. We have created a programme that works for them, allowing them to study from home and come in to take their exams.
“We work with Cummins Engineering to deliver IT training and qualifications to their staff and we have recently embarked on a project with James & James Fulfilment.
“Demand is growing and we are happy to meet employers to discuss their requirements, explain what we can offer and how it can work for them.”
In-person classes can be held at all times of the day, including evenings, to fit in around shift patterns while a range of NCFE-accredited distance learning courses are available to meet local skills needs across multiple sectors, including logistics and warehousing, care and business management.
To find out more about how your business can benefit from tailored learning programmes to upskill your staff, contact sharon.bunker@northamptoncollege.ac.uk or visit their website here.
