Adult Learning Centre - English, Maths and ICT

Based in the centre of Swindon at Focalpoint, on the corner of Fleet Street & Fleming way, we are a 2 minute walk from the main Swindon bus and train stations and we offer adult learning courses for those aged 19 and over.

We offer a range of courses that run both daytime and evenings throughout the week. Our courses are delivered in small groups and in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere. Many of our courses are flexible learning, which means you can come to the ALC and study anytime within our opening hours that suites you.

On top of key skills such as Maths, English and ICT we also offers a great choice of employability and Community Learning courses with a weekly Job Club that is open to all.

English

Free* Functional Skills in English are recognised qualifications that provide learners with useful and transferable skills that will help them gain or progress in employment. Build your confidence and work on your speaking, listening and reading and writing skills in a friendly and supportive environment. Progress onto our free* GCSE course.

*Eligibility criteria applies

Aside from Functional Skills Qualifications, other shorter accredited and non-accredited English and Maths courses are also available.

Maths

Build your confidence in Maths with a free* Functional Skills course offering flexible start dates. You will work on all aspects of Maths in a friendly and supportive environment. Functional skills are recognised qualifications that provide learners with useful and transferable skills that will help them gain or progress in employment and progress onto our free* GCSE course.

*Eligibility criteria applies

IT Courses

Essential Digital Skills (EDSQ) - Entry Level 3 & Level 1

These essential qualifications provide the digital skills adults need to safely benefit from, participate in and contribute to the digital world. Studies are made up of five sections communicating, transacting, problem solving, handling information and content, being safe and legal online.

Workplace Word Level 1/2

Level 1 - Using text learn how to create, edit & format word processing documents including letters & posters using pictures & tables.

Level 2 - Learn to use tabs, advances indentation & mail merge. Switch between documents, insert/ edit tables. Use styles to create professional documents. Use drawing tool, insert/ edit pictures & charts. Create hyperlinks.

Workplace Excel Level 1/2

Level 1 - Learn how to create, edit & format and excel spreadsheet using formulas & creating charts from numerical data.

Level 2 - Learn to edit & format spreadsheets using formulas/ functions & relative & absolute addressing. Switch between workbooks & copy & paste data. Create/. edit & format charts from numerical data.

Workplace Powerpoint Level 1/2

Level 1 - Using slides learn how to create, edit & format a Powerpoint presentation using images, charts, animation & sound.

Level 2 - Change slide layouts, use indents & hyperlinks. Create/ modify charts. Insert tables, rotate/ arrange/ group objects. Set up a slide show using transitions. Use different views, themes and master slide.

Workplace Access Database - Level 1/2

Level 1 - Create, format & edit a database to store information using queries to find information, forms & reports.

Level 2 - Learn about table relationships applying referential integrity. Use wildcards and/ or in queries to find information. Sort 7 filter records. Design/ modify forms & reports.

ICDL Award & Certificate in IT User Skills (Improvers)

This level 2 Award/Certificate is designed for students who are progressing from the level 1 Award or Certificate in IT Users Skills or those looking to demonstrate their knowledge of office applications.

ICDL Certificate in IT User Skills (Advanced)

This Level 3 Advanced ICDL qualification covers the following units: Work Processing software, Spreadsheet software, Presentation Software, Database software and Improving Productivity using IT. Available as single units at a cost of £300 each (not offered under Lifetime Skills or Loan).

Short Courses

Introduction to Learning - English

Improve basic English reading and writing skills. Suitable for those with little or no English skills. Will build confidence to progress either onto further courses or into work.

Basic Computer Course

Struggle with computers and the internet? Covers the basics: using email, internet searches, word processing. Suitable for complete beginners.

Website Building for Beginners

Covers the basics of how to create and build your own website. Looking at areas such as web design, coding, uploading amongst other things.

Learning to Use Your Smartphone

Is your smartphone confusing you? Are you unsure how to make use of its many features? This course will help you understand your phone, troubleshoot problems and use some of its most popular features and apps.

Confidence and Motivation

Want to feel and look confident, think positively and be in control out of your comfort zone? Want to get people to listen to you? This confidence course will show you how.

Upcycling

This workshop will inspire you to create and make exciting items such as bags, jewellery, ornaments etc using only recycled and second hand materials.

Manicure for Beginners

Would you like to learn the basic techniques involved with manicure and nail design? Covers areas such as filing, shaping, polishing etc.

Basic Indian Head Massage

Learn the basic techniques of this relaxing treatment and how to safely perform a head massage to help relieve stress and pressure of everyday life.

Healthy Lifestyle Course

This course looks at ideas and techniques for those who would like to make positive changes to their health and wellbeing. This course will cover topics such as stress awareness, positive mindsets, healthy eating, exercise and general wellbeing.

Interviews Skills Clinic

This 3 day course will show you how to be more authentic, confident and succinct in interviews, putting your best foot forward verbally and non- verbally so that you get the job offers you deserve.

Reflexology for Beginners

This 2 day course will take you through the very basics of Reflexology a treatment that is linked to many health benefits. This course will show you various techniques used within this treatment.

Job Club

Fridays. No Booking Necessary. Get help with your CV, accessing Universal Job match and completing application forms. The ALC Job Club can help you.

Beginners Massage Workshop

This 2 day workshop will take you through the very basics of a range of different massage techniques and styles. This course is for complete beginners and delivered in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere by our experienced tutor. Attendees must be able to attend both days to take part.

Holistic Therapy Workshop

This 2 day workshop will cover a number of different Holistic treatments giving you the opportunity to try these out for yourselves. Treatments included are: Hopi Ear Candle, Bamboo Sticks & Hot Stone Massage, Seated Acupressure Massage and more.

Budgeting for Beginners

With living costs rising so quickly, you may be worried about how you will make ends meet. This short course will help you look at ways you may be able to save on and budget for outgoings such as household bills, food shops amongst other things.

Buying and Selling Online

Short course on the ins and outs of buying and selling online and how to do this safely and securely. Covering sites such as Ebay, Facebook marketplace, Vinted amongst overs.

Beginners Facial Skincare

This course will show you the full range of facial treatments process's to improve your appearance and condition of your skin.

Drawing for Beginners

Want to learn how to draw but don't know where to start? This 2 day course will take you through the very basics of drawing showing you techniques and styles you can use to express yourself and draw with confidence.

CSCS Green Labourers Card Course

This courses give you everything you need to get your CSCS Green Labourers Card What you get:

• CSCS Green Card (Valid for 5 years, allowing you to work on any UK construction site)
• Level 1 Health & Safety In a Construction Environment
• Level 1 In Employability Skills
• Full tuition costs, study material and exam fees.

Courses run on a monthly basis and in a number of different locations please contact us for further details.

Employability Courses

Principles of Warehousing and Storage

This course gives attendees a qualification that develops the knowledge you need to work safely and responsibly in a warehouse or storage facility.

Starting Your Own Business

This short course is suitable for anyone who is thinking about setting up a small new business, or becoming self-employed. This course will explain how to make this possible looking at topic such as: START UP IDEAS , BUSINESS PLAN WRITING MARKET RESEARCH, FINANCES

Certificate in LGBT Inclusion in the workplace

This course covers Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and trans history and culture, organisational policies and legislation affecting LGBT people in the workplace This qualification is ideal for anyone interested in learning more around LGBT issues as well as employers/employees who want to create a safer and happier workplace for all.

Step Into Employment

This course is for people who want to build their confidence and get back into the workplace. Contact us for start date.

Step Into Employment - Customer Service for Call Centres

This course is for people who want to build their confidence and find work in a customer service or call centre environment.

Step Into Employment - Customer Service for Retail & Hospitality

This course is for people who want to build their confidence and find work in a customer service in a retail or hospitality role. Additional short courses in Food Safety and Health & Safety are available.

Step Into Employment - Working for the NHS/ Healthcare

This course has been designed with the NHS, Jobcentre Plus and Wiltshire College to lead to specific roles working locally as a Healthcare Assistant in the NHS. Courses will be delivered online, specific to working in the NHS, along with work experience opportunities for available roles.

Step Into Employment - Working for the NHS - Administration

This course has been designed with the NHS, Jobcentre Plus and Wiltshire College to lead to non-clinical roles working across the NHS, including Doctors surgeries. Additional courses will be delivered online, specific to working in the NHS, along with work experience opportunities for available roles.

Online / Home Study Courses

Food Safety in Catering - Level 2 Award

Designed to give an understanding of the principles of keeping food safe. Introduces the learner to key issues in food safety, taking responsibility for their own food safety, keeping work areas clean storing food correctly. Average 10 hours to complete.

Managing Personal Finance - Level 1 Award

Introduces the basic principles of personal finance, including balance, income, expenditure and understanding financial products. Average of 10 hours to complete.

Employment, Business & Enterprise - Level 1 Award

Covers the importance of entrepreneurial skills within business & encourages learners to consider their own role in employment, business & enterprise. Average 10 hours to complete.

Personal Health & Wellbeing - Level 1 Award

Obtain the knowledge and skills enabling you to make balanced and informed choices about your life, both now and in the future, and to develop confidence in your own abilities.

Health & Safety - Level 1 Award

Gain an understanding of the basic principles of Health & Safety, hazards that can arise & some of the protection available against those hazards. Average 10 hours to complete.

Equality & Diversity - Level 1 Award

Understand the principles of Equality and Diversity and its importance in organisations such as the workplace and learning environments.

Understanding Safeguarding for Work, Education & Life - Level 1 Award

This qualification covers the different types of abuse and how to recognise them, possible safeguarding issues caused by modern technology, the meaning of discrimination and victimisation and the importance of disclosing safeguarding concerns to professionals.

Mental Health & Wellbeing - Level 1 Award

To help understand the terms ‘mental health’ and ‘well-being’ and the different types of conditions and the support available.

For more info contact the team at our Adult Learning Centre

Call: 01793 511665

Email: alc@newcollege.ac.uk