Support for learners to improve their job prospects

If you are struggling with the cost of living and are looking to get back into employment, to improve your skills or support for daily life, then Bury Adult Learning can help.

The service has helped hundreds of local adults get on the next step in their education, to get new jobs or be promoted.

But it’s not just in the classroom where it can provide support.

With the cost of living rising many people are struggling.

Bury Adult Learning has a Learner Support Fund which helps learners on qualification courses experiencing financial hardship to stay in education. The fund can be used to help with course costs, exam fees, childcare costs and travel costs.

The service has a range of free wellbeing courses which support the physical and mental well-being of learners, including specific courses around resilience, mindfulness and budgeting. There are also creative courses, ie, art, creative writing as well as cookery courses where learners can attend to help boost their mood or reduce mild to moderate stress and anxiety.

It also offers free Family Learning courses which include Healthy Eating on a Budget and Family First Aid.

Other free courses include improving your digital skills, English and maths.

Some courses do have a cost but this depends on your circumstances – they include courses to get on the first step of the career ladder for Health and Social Care or childcare, Food Safety, IT, Health Improvement, Community Interpreting, Mental Health and Wellbeing, and English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL)

The service offers advice, guidance, and information to help you decide which course is best for you, support with any additional learning needs, careers advice and progression opportunities and information about other organisations that can provide support such as debt advice.

Courses are taught in three main locations in the borough, with some learning and activities also at community venues, so it’s easy to get to somewhere to learn.

Councillor Tahir Rafiq, Cabinet Member for Corporate Affairs and HR said: “Whether it’s getting a job or enrolling on a higher education course, having the qualifications to show you have the right level of skills has never been more important.

“For a large number of learners just returning to education can be a struggle in itself.

“But Bury Adult Learning Service has the support and skills to help, particularly if people are on low incomes and stuck in a spiral where they need to improve their skills to find work but can’t afford it.

“The record of the service speaks for itself. During 2022-2023, 1328 learners attended adult learning courses, with around 875 going onto further learning and 176 finding paid work, self-employment or voluntary work and a further 126 actively seeking employment.

“Courses are designed for everyone including giving learning opportunities to people with additional learning needs, mental health and neuro diverse conditions.

“In these difficult times,Bury Adult Learning can support you to succeed.”

Our success stories

Just some of our success stories are Amber and John who both had difficult circumstances in their lives.

Amber attended functional skills English and maths classes in her early twenties as she left high school with no qualifications.

She has studied functional skills level 2 English and maths at Bury Adult Learning Centre.

She had two young children so her time was limited, but between herself and the tutors, they worked out the best days and hours that she could attend.

She applied and got a job as an Emergency Medical Dispatcher for Northwest Ambulance Service, taking 999 emergency calls. She now has an emergency dispatch diploma.

She said: “I found the enrolment process very easy and straight forward and I received the help and advice I needed to get started. Not only have I improved academically, but I now feel a sense of accomplishment and pride too.”

In 2019, John’s family moved from London to settle in Bury by the Home Office as an asylum seeker. He enrolled on several courses including ESOL, IT, Functional Skills English and maths Level 1, and maths Level 2. He is now working as a part time support worker.

John said: “A big thanks to Bury Adult Learning Service for helping me towards my dreams. All the staff and tutors are welcoming people, caring and kind. I recommend Bury Adult Learning Service to anyone who wants to pursue a higher education or learn something new.”

Further information

For further information about all the courses offered at Bury Adult Learning Service, call Bury Adult Learning Centre on 0161 253 5772 or visit www.bury.gov.uk/adultlearning and download a copy of the Spring and Summer course guide.