Adult Learning Service
The Adult Learning Service (ALS) helps adults and families access high-quality, inclusive learning and training.
Courses aim to improve lives and outcomes by helping people reach their potential. Learn more on our about us page.
Adults with learning disabilities
Programmes for adults with mild to moderate learning disabilities.
English for speakers of other languages
Courses for adults where English is not their first language.
Maths
Functional skill maths courses are designed to increase your confidence and skills, supporting you in your home life, work or education.
English
Functional skill English courses are designed to increase your confidence and skills, supporting you in your home life, work or education.
Essential digital skills
Gain the digital skills you need to confidently manage everyday online tasks - these courses are designed to support adults in work, education, and daily life.
Routes into employment
Take your first steps towards a new career - these courses are designed to empower adults with the skills and confidence to succeed.
Family learning
Family learning brings parents, grandparents, carers and children together to learn, grow and build confidence.
Community Learning
Take your first steps into learning - these courses are designed to support adults in building confidence and gaining essential skills
Skills Bootcamps
Courses that enable and empower individuals and employers to develop key skills needed in today’s job market.
Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) Careers Service
We work with the DWP Careers Service to provide free, impartial careers information, advice and guidance. The service can help you make informed decisions about learning, training and work.
The DWP Careers Service can help you:
- assess your skills and strengths
- explore career options and next steps
- find learning and training opportunities
- understand local job opportunities
To find out more, visit the Get careers information and advice website or freephone 0800 072 0288.
Jobs and Careers Service (JCS)
The government has introduced the JCS, which offers support and advice for jobs and careers. Through its digital platform, Work Hub, users can access:
- an AI work assistant
- a CV builder
- the Find a Job service
Help and support through the JCS is available to adults aged 18 and over, as well as some eligible young people under 18.
The service may be particularly helpful if you:
- have applied for jobs but are not getting the results you hoped for
- want to change careers but are unsure where to start
- spend time searching for jobs but rarely apply
- would like support to strengthen applications and stand out to employers
For more information on the support available, visit the Jobs and Careers Service website.
Funding
The county council has contracts with the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and Department for Education (DfE) to provide a range of learning opportunities for adults.
We do this by working in partnership with a range of organisations and key stakeholders, delivering courses ourselves and by commissioning specialist delivery partners to work with us.
As part of our contracts and the associated funding rules, we are required to publish an accountability statement which explains how we operate in more detail, and a policy for subcontracting which outlines our delivery partners and includes our fees and charges.
Contact us
Contact us if you have a general query or would like more information.