Latest News

Colleges offer adults Free Courses for Jobs

Tuesday, 4 April, 2023

Tags:

Healthcare worker at Pinderfields Hospital

As part of the Government’s Free Courses for Jobs initiative, Wakefield College and Castleford College are offering adults a range of free programmes - enabling them to retrain or upskill in key sectors.

Free Courses for Jobs is a national campaign designed to boost the economic recovery following COVID-19 and help fill the skills gap.

In June 2022, the House of Commons Health and Social Care Committee reported that an extra 475,000 jobs would be needed in health and 490,000 jobs would be needed in social care by the early part of the 2030s.

To address this demand, Wakefield College is offering adults a free programme in Level 3 Health and Social Care – providing them with the skills and knowledge to work in the Health and Social Care sector.

After completing the 18-month programme, learners can progress into a wide range of job roles in the industry or onto a Foundation Degree in Health and Well-Being at University Centre at the Heart of Yorkshire Education Group.

For those considering a career or upskilling in Early Years, both Colleges are offering adults a free space on its Level 3 Diploma for the Early Years Workforce. This will enable them to become a fully qualified Early Years Educator and to work with children 0-7 years in a range of settings.

Starting on Wednesday 19th April at Castleford College and Wakefield College, the course will be delivered one day a week on a Wednesday, over two years.

Once completed, learners can enter a range of roles in the sector or continue their studies at a higher level, including the University Centre at the Heart of Yorkshire Education Group’s Level 4/5 Early Years Foundation Degree. 

Carla Cantrell, Group Head of Department - Care & Early Years at the Heart of Yorkshire Education Group, said: “Whether you’re looking to expand your skills or change your career path, our programmes in Health and Social Care and Early Years enable adults to boost their job opportunities and prospects, at no cost. This can not only enable learners to enter their dream careers, but allow those currently working in both sectors to earn a higher wage and develop into higher-skilled roles. The nature of the courses also mean that they can be delivered flexibly around other commitments, including existing work or raising a family.” 

“If learners want to continue to expand their skillset before entering the industry after completing their programme, they can also advance onto their degree-level studies right here at Wakefield College – opening the door for them to reach even greater opportunities in both industries,” added Carla.

The University Centre at the Heart of Yorkshire Education Group delivers a range of Higher Education programmes across its Colleges including Castleford College, Wakefield College and Selby College.

Both courses are free for students who are 19 or over who live within West Yorkshire at the start of their course and do not already have a Level 3 qualification or higher.

Any adult in England who is earning under the Real Living Wage or is unemployed will also be able to access these qualifications for free regardless of their prior qualifications.

Find out more about our Level 3 Health and Social Care, at: https://bit.ly/40wjYVB

Learn more about our Level 3 Diploma for the Early Years Workforce, at: https://bit.ly/3lDWJug