Courses for adults

Work Skills Learning works with several different partners to provide adult education classes. All courses aim to boost the confidence and improve the skills of people to help them gain employment. We work across multiple sites to provide specialist training facilities.

The courses we offer are listed below. Click on a link to find out more:

» Teaching assistant training
» Food and hygiene certificate
» Literacy and Numeracy Courses – Level 1 & 2
» Personal Best Olympic Programme
» Grow Cook and Eat

Teacher assistant training
These qualifications are ideal for Hackney residents who wish to train to become a Teaching Assistant/Support Worker and who would like to gain recognition of skills acquired whilst working in the childcare sector. In 2010, over 120 people participated in our courses and received qualifications – with over half finding full-time employment as a result of their training.

Students who join our courses may already be working as a volunteer in a classroom, or have some involvement with schools as a parent or carer/helper. But qualifications are also open to those who have no previous experience with children or in education.

Classes are held on Saturday to make it easier for people who need to organise childcare.

The following qualifications can be gained on one of our teaching assistant courses:

QCF - NCFE Level 2 Award in Support work in schools
This course can be taken by people not yet employed in a school, or for people who have just started working in schools.

QCF - NCFE Level 2 Certificate in Supporting Teaching and Learning in schools
This qualification is aimed at people who want to explore a career in supporting teaching and learning in schools. The qualification is suitable for a range of roles including Teaching Assistants and those who provide learning support within schools.

QCF – NCFE Level 2 Award in support work in schools
This qualification develops the knowledge and understanding that all those working in a school setting will need. It covers areas such as safeguarding, communication and understanding the school context. As it is a knowledge based qualification, it can be taken by candidates not yet employed in a school, as well as providing initial/induction for those new in post.

Many of the people who have completed these courses have gone on to find employment in schools, including with our partner The Southover Partnership.

QCF - NCFE Level 3 Certificate in Supporting Teaching and Learning in Schools
This qualification is for those members of the school workforce who directly support the teaching and learning of pupils.
Learners who achieve this qualification could progress to:

• NCFE Level 3 certificate in cover supervision of pupils in schools.
• NCFE Level 3 Diploma in Specialist support for teacher and learning in schools
• This qualification also allows progression into the workforce.

Food and hygiene certificate
We work with our partners Hackney Learning Trust, Hackney Youth Services and Manor House Development Trust to train people in a Level 2 Award in Food Safety Food & Hygiene Certificate.

This course is for anyone who wants to work in catering, manufacturing or retail, where food is prepared, cooked and handled. The course covers the following elements:

• The importance of food safety and knowledge of the systems, techniques and procedures involved
• How to control food safety risks (personal hygiene, food storage, cooking and handling)

Over 40 people have participated in this course in 2010 and received qualifications.

Literacy and Numeracy Courses – Level 1 & 2
With our partner Hackney Learning Trust we run Adult Literacy and Numeracy courses to enable people to improve the essential skills required in the workplace.

Over  20 people have participated in this course in 2010 and received qualifications.

Personal Best Olympic Programme
The Personal Best programme offers people the opportunity to gain new skills and a Level One qualification in Event Volunteering. The Hackney Learning Trust is one of only eight organisations who are offering this course, and we have partnered with them to help run the classes. People who successfully complete the programme can apply to be a London 2012 Games Time volunteer and will have the opportunity to volunteer at local sporting, cultural and community events.

Over 60 people have participated in this course in 2010 and nearly all have gone on to employment.

Grow Cook and Eat
Each year we participate in Adult Learner’s Week in partnership with the Learning Trust. We run a “Grow, Cook and Eat” theme and use our garden and kitchen to train people in gardening and healthy eating.

Over 20 people participated in this event in 2010.