Durham Skills Boost

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How do we help?

Have you thought about getting back into learning but have concerns or aren’t sure where to start?

With our free three-day taster course, we can help you to gain a better understanding of your learning options, supporting you to have the confidence to pursue your goals.

Take your first steps with our experienced tutor, who will help you to build your digital skills and confidence with reading, communicating, and learning.

On completion of the three-day course, you will receive a £25 voucher.

You may also receive up to £100 for travel or childcare costs.*

If you’d like to take your learning further, you could continue the course for another three days to gain an officially recognised qualification.

Book your place

Click here to book

What does the course involve?

Our friendly and supportive tutor will work with you to find out your learning goals and any concerns you may have, before working with you to put together a personalised plan.

By the end of the first week of the course, you will better understand how improving your literacy and digital skills can help you in learning and work.

We will also help you with some of the skills needed to get ready for work.

This includes:

Understanding what a job requires and application instructions in job adverts
Exploring common interview questions and how to answer them
Understanding key workplace documents such as policies, procedures and payslips.

During the second week you could gain an accredited qualification in which you will gain confidence and develop skills that will help you to prepare, be safe and succeed in employment.

Benefits of this programme

Take your next steps into learning or getting work
Build confidence in reading, communicating and learning
Develop your digital skills

Where we are based

All sessions are held face-to-face across North Durham and Central Durham.

Our venues are:

Alington House Community Association, Durham
Bullion Hall, Chester-le-Street
Spennymoor Youth and Community Association, Spennymoor

Further venues will be added soon.

About us

Our tutor, who will support you throughout the course, is Margaret. Margaret has many years of experience supporting people to get back into learning.

Durham Skills Boost is delivered by Education Development Trust in North and Central Durham. It is supported by Durham Learn and funded through Durham County Council’s Shared Prosperity Fund by the UK Government.

Latest course dates

Alington House Community Association, Durham – 30th April – 2nd May (Week 1), 7th May – 9th May (Week 2)
Bullion Hall, Chester-le-Street – 13th May – 14th May and 16th May (Week 1), 20th – 21st May and 23rd May (Week 2)
Spennymoor Youth and Community Association, Spennymoor – 3rd June – 5th June (Week 1), 10th – 12th June (Week 2)

The course runs from 9.30am to 12.30pm each day.

Book your place

Eligibility Criteria

You must:

Be age 19+
Not have an English qualification at GCSE Grade 4/C, Level 2, equivalent or above
Live in County Durham and have lived in the UK for the last three years*

*Eligibility criteria apply, contact us for more details.

Click here to book your place