Ways into Work Course Guide

Adult learning

course guide

aclessex.com/get-back-into-work

free courses

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welcome Finding a job can be hard and there could be a number of reasons why you feel like you aren’t progressing. It may feel like a never ending uphill battle, but don’t fret, we can help you find the light at the end of the tunnel. We provide a range of courses to help you with every step of your job search, from deciding the career you want, to interviewing and improving your employability skills in the workplace.

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We’re here to help you achieve the goals you have set your sights on throughout your life. ACL is not just about second chances; it’s about third, fourth and fifth chances.

As well as skills and qualifications, ACL is also about making sure that learners flourish. This means their health, wellbeing and independence, their sense of community belonging, and their confidence and belief in themselves. Lifelong learning matters to us!

Whatever your ambitions for learning might be, we’re here to support you on your journey.

LET’S BE SOCIAL ACLEssex

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@ACLEssex

acl-essex

about us

self employment

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Are you thinking about starting your own business? The following courses are designed to support you with this.

We are the largest provider of adult education in the county.

We’re at the heart of our communities across Essex making a difference to residents and businesses, so everyone has the chance to make a difference for themselves, those around them, and the places that they live in.

In work progression

All courses in this brochure are delivered online live and are funded, therefore FREE to enrol on unless stated otherwise.

contents

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These courses are great for those already in work who are looking to improve their employability and soft skills.

further courses

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Learn more about the other courses we offer at ACL which could help you into work.

Other courses Decision Making

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Perfect for those who are unsure of the career they want to go into, are looking for a change or want to explore a wider variety of options.

Getting the job

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If you’ve decided the career you would like to go into, the next step is applying for those jobs. This section offers courses to support with this.

confidence building Perfect for those searching for a job, already employed or looking to start your own business who are struggling with confidence.

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We also offer many courses in our other curriculum areas which could help you with employment, including: •

Qualifications & skills for employment

•

Essential skills

•

Creative & cultural learning

•

Mental health and wellbeing

•

Supported learning

•

Apprenticeships

•

Family learning

Find out more about our full offer on our website: aclessex.com Course start dates are subject to change, please visit our website for the latest information.

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Decision Making

decision making Deciding on a career can be challenging, with the wide range of options out there, how do you decide on the best choice for you? The following courses are designed to support you to explore your options, recognise your values and make you feel ready to take your next step.

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You may find this section useful if you: Are unsure of the career you want to go into Feel ready for a career change Want to explore a variety of options Want a job role that aligns with your values

course name

Day

start date

time

duration

Your New Vision in Life or Career

Tuesday

31/10/2023

18:00

2 Weeks

Coaching for Work & Life Intro

Tuesday

14/11/2023

10:00

2 Weeks

Working With Your Intuition

Tuesday

21/11/2023

18:00

2 Weeks

What Other Job Can I Do?

Tuesday

28/11/2023

10:00

2 Weeks

Coaching for Work & Life Intro

Saturday

02/12/2023

13:30

2 Weeks

What Other Job Can I Do?

Tuesday

09/01/2024

13:30

2 Weeks

Your New Vision in Life or Career

Wednesday

10/01/2024

13:30

2 Weeks

Coaching for Work & Life Intro

Tuesday

13/02/2024

10:00

2 Weeks

Working With Your Intuition

Saturday

02/03/2024

13:30

2 Weeks

Day

start date

time

duration

What Other Job Can I Do?

Monday

04/03/2024

10:00

2 Weeks

Your New Vision in Life or Career

Tuesday

19/03/2024

13:30

2 Weeks

Working With Your Intuition

Monday

22/04/2024

13:30

2 Weeks

What Other Job Can I Do?

Tuesday

14/05/2024

18:00

2 Weeks

Coaching for Work & Life Intro

Monday

17/06/2024

10:00

2 Weeks

courses Your New Vision in Life or Career As we continue to live in changeable times, many of us are re-evaluating life, work, priorities and direction. This two-part workshop will guide you through a process to gain greater clarity and greater sense of control over shaping your new future in a way that is meaningful to you.

Working With Your Intuition More than ever, we are challenged to rely increasingly on what feels right for us, our very own intuition. This course will guide you through a process to learn to access and use your intuition for a better and smoother experience of everyday life.

Decision Making

course name

Coaching for Work & Life Intro This introductory course will give you a range of tools to help you evaluate where you are and gain clarity as to what you want in any area of your life. Learn a powerful range of coaching tools and techniques to help you access your own solutions and get unstuck.

What Other Job Can I Do? Adaptability is a key quality, this includes the ability to think wider in the scope of what alternative employment opportunities you could consider. This course will guide you through a process of identifying your core values, current circumstances, and transferable skills to prepare you for the changing job market and enable you to identify areas of work that could open doors.

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Getting The Job

getting the job If you’ve decided the career you would like to go into, the next step is applying for those jobs. The following courses are designed to support you through the job searching, application and interview process, as well as helping to support you to stay motivated and bounce back after rejection.

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You may find this section useful if you: Want to increase your confidence in interviews Are struggling with your job search Are struggling to bounce back after rejection Find it hard to stay motivated when searching

course name

Day

start date

time

duration

Stepping Up Your Motivation

Monday

06/11/2023

13:30

2 Weeks

Proactive Job Searching Skills

Wednesday

15/11/2023

09:30

1 Week

Interview Skills

Monday

11/12/2023

09:30

1 Week

Stepping Up Your Motivation

Tuesday

30/01/2024

13:30

2 Weeks

Managing your Resilience

Monday

12/02/2024

09:30

1 Week

Proactive Job Searching Skills

Wednesday

13/03/2024

09:30

1 Week

Interview Skills

Monday

15/04/2024

09:30

1 Week

Stepping Up Your Motivation

Saturday

11/05/2024

10:00

2 Weeks

Managing your Resilience

Monday

10/06/2024

09:30

1 Week

courses Interview Skills

This two-part course will provide an opportunity to identify your own blocks to motivation in different aspects of your life, especially when looking for employment opportunities. You will gain techniques and tools for increasing levels of motivation and developing greater focus so that you can move forward with greater confidence and determination.

Gain a better understanding of the potential formats and content of interviews and the various assessment activities that could be used. By developing your knowledge and skills in this area, will enable you to make a good first impression, act confidently and be prepared at interviews.

Getting The Job

Stepping up your Motivation

Managing your Resilience Proactive Job Searching Skills Learn the tools and techniques to conduct a proactive job search, for example planning a job search and targeting specific job roles, identifying the best places to post your CV, building a profile that highlights the skills that employers are looking for.

This session is designed for people interested in learning the techniques to deal with resilience firstly on a personal level, for those looking for employment and for those who would like to develop their current skills and knowledge and learn how to manage resilience more effectively.

people that want to learn online but not at home, providing an opportunity to access a classroom environment with others.

At locations across Essex The Skills Hubs are a place for you to undertake online courses in a facilitated environment. If you are not confident using technology, such as computers or any devices, our Skills Hub team can provide you with support. The hubs are also available to

Find us in: •

ACL Harlow

•

ACL Basildon

•

ACL Colchester

•

ACL Chelmsford

•

ACL Clacton

•

Chelmsford Library

aclessex.com/skills-hub

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Confidence Building

confidence building Whether you’re searching for a job, already employed or looking to start your own business, struggling with confidence can make it challenging. The following courses are designed to support you to improve your self-confidence and self-esteem and learn to accept yourself, letting go of fear of judgement and self-critisism.

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You may find this section useful if you: Are lacking in self-confidence You regularly feel ‘not good enough’ You confidence has reduced after rejection You fear judgement from others

course name

Day

start date

time

Duration

Upgrade Yourself

Monday

04/12/2023

10:00

2 Weeks

Self-Acceptance & Self-Validation

Wednesday

06/12/2023

10:00

2 Weeks

Confidence Building

Wednesday

17/01/2024

09:30

1 Week

Upgrade Yourself

Saturday

27/01/2024

13:30

2 Weeks

Self-Acceptance & Self-Validation

Tuesday

27/02/2024

18:00

2 Weeks

Upgrade Yourself

Monday

18/03/2024

10:00

2 Weeks

Self-Acceptance & Self-Validation

Wednesday

01/05/2024

13:30

2 Weeks

Upgrade Yourself

Monday

13/05/2024

13:30

2 Weeks

Confidence Building

Wednesday

15/05/2024

09:30

1 Week

Both unemployment and employment can impact your mental health. In addition to the courses listed on this page, we also offer a range of courses in our mental health and wellbeing curriculm which may benefit you.

These courses offer a space to explore new ways to improve your wellbeing and gain valuable tools to help you navigate your daily life. Our courses help you to understand the effects of nutrition on your wellbeing, manage anxiety, learn techniques on mindful thinking, and will guide you on your journey of personal development. Our expert tutors will be there with you every step of they way for guidance and support.

aclessex.com/wellbeing

courses Upgrade Yourself This two-part course provides you with the opportunity to take a step back and work on improving your selfesteem and self-belief during times of uncertainty and challenge. Learn strategies to make positive changes to your thinking patterns and lifestyle to help you move forward.

Confidence Building

mental health & wellbeing courses

Self-Acceptance & Self-Validation Does fear of judgement and self-criticism influence the way you do things, whether at work, at volunteering or in your personal life? Is feeling ‘not good enough’ your default mode? Join this course to explore the ways we block ourselves from living authentically and learn powerful tips and strategies on how to begin to embrace and accept all parts of ourselves, even the parts we deem unacceptable.

Confidence Building Confidence building is an area of self-development we all need to address for a variety of reasons. Selfconfidence is about having faith in yourself and this workshop is designed to support you in developing your self-confidence so that you can build your self-esteem and be prepared to meet new people, overcome nerves, increase public speaking skills and have a more positive attitude towards your personal and professional growth.

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Self Employment

Self employment Are you thinking about starting your own business? The following courses are designed to support you to set up, run and market your own business, as well as increase your independence and learn how to become your own leader.

Are thinking about starting your own business Would like to increase your independence Want to improve your self-leadership skills

course name

Day

start date

time

Duration

Setting up a Business*

Saturday

02/03/2024

09:30

1 Week

Marketing a Business*

Saturday

09/03/2024

09:30

1 Week

Self-Leadership Intro

Tuesday

12/03/2024

18:00

2 Weeks

Running a Business*

Saturday

16/03/2024

09:30

1 Week

Self-Leadership Intro

Tuesday

07/05/2024

10:00

2 Weeks

Setting up a Business*

Saturday

08/06/2024

09:30

1 Week

Marketing a Business*

Saturday

15/06/2024

09:30

1 Week

Running a Business*

Saturday

22/06/2024

09:30

1 Week

* Course fee of £27.60/£13.80

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You may find this section useful if you:

courses

Have you ever wanted to start yor own business?

This one day workshop will give you information on the basic start up information from setting up your idea, marketing and employing staff.

Marketing a Business This one day workshop is the second of three and will give you information on the basic start up information on marketing an existing or new business. You will also have opportunties to brainstorm your ideas.

This one day workshop will give you information on the basic concepts of running your own business. Learn about record keeping, bookkeeping requirements, HRMC, technology, staffing and more.

Self-Leadership Intro

Self Employment

Setting up a Business

Running a Business

How do we develop greater mastery and independence to manage our own levels of energy and stick to our priorities? What are the barriers to taking greater initiative to make our own independent and compassionate decisions whether at work or everyday life? This course will help you activate the inner leader in you.

Thinking about starting your own business?

Make 2023/2024 the year you finally start your small business! Give it the best chance of success by learning key skills, such as managing your finances. We also run one day workshops to help you to set up, run and market your business.

aclessex.com/startup-smart

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In Work Progession

in work progression Are you already in work but looking to improve your employability and soft skills?

The following courses are designed to support you to improve your time management skills and reduce procrastination, develop your soft skills, become more assertive and increase your emotional intelligence.

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You may find this section useful if you: Struggle with managing your time Want to develop your soft skills Find it hard to say ‘no’ to people Want to increase your emotional intelligence

course name

Day

start date

time

Duration

Assertiveness Skills For Work

Monday

30/10/2023

10:00

2 Weeks

Elevate Your Skills

Monday

20/22/2023

13:30

2 Weeks

Emotional Intelligence at Work

Tuesday

05/12/2023

18:00

2 Weeks

Elevate Your Skills

Monday

15/01/2024

13:30

2 Weeks

Procrastination & Time Management

Monday

29/01/2024

13:30

2 Weeks

Assertiveness Skills For Work

Tuesday

30/01/2024

18:00

2 Weeks

Elevate Your Skills

Wednesday

28/02/2024

10:00

2 Weeks

Emotional Intelligence at Work

Tuesday

05/03/2024

13:30

2 Weeks

Elevate Your Skills

Monday

15/04/2024

10:00

2 Weeks

Day

start date

time

Duration

Procrastination & Time Management

Tuesday

23/04/2024

18:00

2 Weeks

Emotional Intelligence at Work

Monday

03/06/2024

13:30

2 Weeks

Assertiveness Skills For Work

Wednesday

05/06/2024

13:30

2 Weeks

Procrastination & Time Management

Saturday

15/06/2024

10:00

2 Weeks

Elevate Your Skills

Tuesday

18/06/2024

18:00

2 Weeks

courses Procrastination & Time Management Explore why we procrastinate and how it affects our time management in daily life and work.

Discover strategies to overcome procrastination and identify ways of managing your time more effectively for greater levels of satisfaction, while keeping healthy levels of work life balance.

Assertiveness Skills For Work Do you find it difficult to say no, or have your voice heard? Do you feel overpowered by certain kinds of personalities or feel low in confidence in certain situations? This course will guide you through some practical tools that you can immediately start practising to raise your own levels of self-empowerment and to communicate more confidently and effectively.

In Work Progession

course name

Elevate Your Skills What can you do to upskill yourself and take your own skills to the next level? This course will take you through the key soft skills for the future including growth mindset, adaptability, active listening, emotional intelligence and resilience in the workplace.

Emotional Intelligence at Work This course will guide you through the main principles involved in emotional intelligence and will give you tools and techniques to tap into, learn and activate a range of sub-skills associated with the subject. Developing greater emotional intelligence will help towards making you not only more effective in all you do but will help to develop a happier experience of being yourself in any situation both at work and in life.

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Further Courses

further courses free courses for jobs Adults in England have the chance to access their first level 3 qualification for free. This offer is also available to adults in England who earn less than the National Living Wage annually (£20,319) or who are unemployed.

This is regardless of their prior qualification level.

All 19 to 23 year olds can access courses for free through their legal entitlement to a first full level 3 qualification. Courses include:

aclessex.com/free-courses-for-jobs

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AAT Advanced Diploma in Accounting Principles in Dementia Care CPCAB Certificate in Counselling Studies NCFE Diploma for the Early Years Workforce Diploma in Adult Care Diploma in Leadership and Management Certificate in Understanding Autism Understanding the Care & Management of Diabetes Certificate in IT User Skills Certificate in Coaching & Mentorting

supported learning

Apprenticeship programmes are suitable if you’re leaving school or college, looking for a change of career or already in work but requiring new skills to support a promotion or change of job role.

Programme areas include:

Our supported learning courses have been created specifically for those with learning disabilities and/or autism. We have a huge range of courses, so there is going to be something perfect for you! Employability courses include:

Business School

Hospitality and Catering

Health and Social Care

Construction

Early Years and Education

Retail

IT and Digital

Animal Care

Warehousing and Facilities

Health and Social Care

aclessex.com/apprentices

Further Courses

apprenticeships

Horticulture and Conservation

aclessex.com/supported-learning

essential skills Through improving your essential skills, not only could you achieve a nationally recognised qualification, you’ll also open up doors to employment and further educational opportunities. You’ll feel more confident in your everyday activities too, whether helping the kids with their homework, budgeting your finances or using online banking. Courses are suitable for all ability levels. At your

assessment our team will agree the best starting point for you and support you to progress through the different levels. Courses include:

English

Maths

Science

Digital

English for Speakers of Other Languages

aclessex.com/english-mathsscience-digital

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how to enrol Once you have chosen your course/s, you can either enrol on our website or by phone.

1. Online

www.aclessex.com

Visit and create an account.

You can then either search for the course title using the search box or browse our website.

Once the course has been selected, you will be asked to fill out an enrolment form (non-qualification course), or asked to enrol onto an assessment session (qualification).

2. PHONE

0345 603 7635

Call to talk to our Customer Services team. Before calling, please make a note of the course or course code where possible.

Our phone lines are currently open Monday to Friday, from 8:30am to 5pm, unless otherwise stated.

All ACL courses are subsidised by the Government. As part of the enrolment process we are required to obtain proof of identification from you. This enables us to provide a unique reference number for you as is kept in line with ECC and ESFA privacy notices.

For more information click here: https://www.essex.gov.uk/privacy-education

Published Nov 2023