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Adult Employability Skills

Adult Employability Skills Courses

Ready to take your career to the next level? Our short, flexible, and free* courses are designed to fit around your busy life and help you gain the essential skills employers want, quickly and easily. Funded by the UK government for adults aged 19 and over.

Whether you’re aiming to land your dream job, get promoted, return to study, or launch your own business, we’re here to support you every step of the way. Equip yourself with skills that employers value and that will open doors to new opportunities.

We also develop courses based on employer or sector needs

Are you an employer, job centre, charity or other organisation looking for specific skills for your employees, clients or customers? Get in touch and we’ll work together to create something relevant for your requirements.

Scroll down to explore more, fill out our quick reply form and discover how easy it is to get started.

Upcoming Employability Courses

Starting at regular dates throughout the academic year. Please fill in the online form to enquire about our next cohort date.

Location: Oaklands College, St Albans Campus, Face to Face.

Level 1 Award in Employability Skills are the key qualities and abilities that employers value most in candidates and existing employees.

This course covers how to enhance your job prospects and open doors to exciting opportunities, accelerate your career growth with practical, real-world training, boost your CV with highly sought-after, in-demand skills, and/or prepare confidently for further education or professional development, and more.

 

Starting at regular dates throughout the academic year. Please fill in the online form to enquire about our next cohort date.

Location: Oaklands College, St Albans Campus, Face to Face.

Our Level 1 Certificate in Customer Service is designed to equip you with the essential skills and knowledge needed to thrive in customer service roles across various industries. This qualification will help you develop strong communication skills, effectively resolve customer queries, and meet customer needs with confidence.

You’ll gain a solid understanding of the core principles of customer service, ensuring that you can deliver exceptional service that employers can rely on. Whether you're new to the field or looking to enhance your skills, this course provides a strong foundation for success in any customer-facing role.

Starting at regular dates throughout the academic year. Please fill in the online form to enquire about our next cohort date.

Location: Oaklands College, St Albans Campus, Face to Face.

This qualification offers a foundational understanding of business administration, covering key areas such as customer relations, office equipment use, diary management, telephone communication, information storage, individual rights and responsibilities, teamwork, and professional behaviour. It provides a stepping stone to further qualifications in business administration or related fields.

Starting at regular dates throughout the academic year. Please fill in the online form to enquire about our next cohort date.

Location: Oaklands College, St Albans Campus, Face to Face.

Level 1 Award in Preparing to Work in Schools is the perfect introductory qualification for anyone interested in starting a career in education, including working in voluntary or paid positions in schools. This course enhances your skills, boosts confidence, and prepares you for employment or a career change.

You will learn about various school settings, policies and procedures, child development, communication skills, equality, inclusion, and how to support diverse learners. The course also covers awareness of safeguarding and Prevent at Level 1, essential for volunteering or working in schools in any role.

Upon successful completion, learners will receive a qualification certificate from the awarding body, and be offered a job interview with Oaklands College, providing a direct pathway into employment. There are no prior learning requirements, although learners should be able to speak and write English at Entry 3 or higher to access the course.

Starting at regular dates throughout the academic year. Please fill in the online form to enquire about our next cohort date.

Location: Oaklands College, St Albans Campus, Face to Face.

Following on from the Level 1 Award in Preparing to Work in Schools, the Level 2 qualification focuses on the fundamentals of supporting children and young people at schools and colleges, and is suitable for those wanting to work in support roles, who may later wish to qualify as teaching assistants or learning support assistants. In addition to enhancing your skills and confidence, it will boost your CV, giving you an advantage when applying for support work in schools or colleges.

The course covers schools and colleges as organisations, development stages of children and young people, effective communication, legislation and policy frameworks, health and safety, safeguarding, confidentiality and data protection, and equality, diversity and inclusion in work with children and young people. The course also includes a separate, detailed unit on safeguarding and the Prevent Duty in schools and colleges (at Level 2), essential for anyone working in educational institutions.

Upon successful completion, learners will receive a qualification certificate from the awarding body, and be offered a job interview with Oaklands College, providing a direct pathway into employment. There are no prior learning requirements, although learners should be able to speak and write English at Level 1 or higher to access the course.

What are employability skills?

Employability skills are the key qualities and abilities that employers value most in candidates and existing employees.

Funded by the UK government for adults aged 19 and over, our free* employability courses empower you to:

  • Enhance your job prospects and open doors to exciting opportunities
  • Accelerate your career growth with practical, real-world training
  • Boost your CV with highly sought-after, in-demand skills
  • Prepare confidently for further education or professional development

What courses are available?
We have new employability courses starting regularly through the year, delivered via face-to-face sessions with our experienced tutors at venues in St Albans, Welwyn Garden City, and Borehamwood. Contact us today to find out about upcoming courses and dates.

We also develop courses based on employer or sector needs. 

Are you an employer, job centre, charity or other organisation looking for specific skills for your employees, clients or customers? Get in touch and we’ll work together to create something relevant for your requirements.

*Free to eligible learners. We may ask you to pay a small fee if you are not eligible. Upon successful completion of each course, you'll earn a recognised qualification and certificate from the awarding body or an Oaklands College certificate. Whether you’re applying for work or changing roles within your current employment, our courses can help you acquire the skills you need to succeed.