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Adult Employability Skills

Adult Employability Skills Courses

Get the skills you need to boost your career – quickly, easily, and often free* of charge.

Whether you're looking to land a job, move up in your current role, return to study, or start a business, we offer short and flexible courses to help you get there. Topics include CV writing, job search, interview prep, customer service, admin, digital and communication skills, and more.

Scroll down for more info. To ask a question or check if you're eligible for funding, fill out our short form and we’ll be in touch.

What are employability skills?

Employability skills are the qualities and abilities employers seek in job candidates and existing employees.

Funded by the UK government for adults over 19, our free* employability courses can help you:

  • Gain in-demand skills and boost your CV
  • Improve your job prospects
  • Advance your career
  • Lay the groundwork for further studies

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.

Upcoming Employability Courses

Employability courses cover essential workplace skills such as Business Admin, Customer Service & Digital.

Purpose:
To prepare you with practical skills to secure and succeed in roles related to business administration, customer service, and digital technology.

Apply now

This course equips job seekers with the knowledge and skills needed to gain employment or progress in a career.

Upon successful completion of all units for this course, you will receive a qualification certificate from the awarding body, City & Guilds, to boost your CV and demonstrate your commitment and skills to employers. 

 

Starting from March 2025. Complete the 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 from March 2025. Please complete the 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 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 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.

Register your interest

If you're interested in finding out more about our adult employability courses at Oaklands, please take a moment to fill out the form on the right.

By submitting your details, a member of our team will be able to get in touch with you directly to discuss your goals, answer any questions, and help you find the right course to suit your needs.

Whether you're looking to gain new skills, return to work, or take the next step in your career, we’re here to support you every step of the way.