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Adult Learning with Cambridgeshire Skills

Cambridgeshire Skills is Cambridgeshire County Councils adult learning service.

  • We offer a wide range of courses and learning opportunities for adults aged 19 and over on the 31 August who have lived in the UK, EU or EEA for at least 3 years*
  • We provide accessible, affordable and high-quality learning opportunities.

We enable individuals to improve their skills, confidence and employability.

Four steps to learning

Choosing your course

Selecting the right course may feel daunting. We are here to help you every step of the way. Explore your options online, visit us, or call us.

Enrol and register your interest

When you have chosen your course, you will need to enrol. You can complete our online form, or contact our admissions team who can do this with you.

Assessment

Some of our courses require an assessment of your skill level. This is not a test, just a series of questions, so we can place you on the right course, and know what support you may require from our tutors.

Starting your learner journey

Once you have been enrolled, we will send you a welcome pack. This pack contains all the information you need to know about your first day of learning.

Ways to learn

We have a variety of ways you can learn with us. For both face-to-face and online learning you will have a tutor, who will be on hand to answer any questions.

  • Non-accredited courses, are assessed by your tutor, and they will provide feedback.
  • We assess accredited courses according to the requirements of the awarding body. This may be either through a final assessment or through a portfolio of work.
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Our online courses are fun and involve interactive learning. They may include quizzes, case studies, videos and other free resources.

  • You will need access to the internet via a laptop, desktop PC or tablet.
  • Most of our online courses are flexible, meaning you can log on and complete your learning when it suits you.
  • Most of our flexible online courses take less than 10 hours to complete.
  • Most courses are non-accredited and have no pre-entry requirements.

A member of our team will welcome you onto your course. They will provide your username, password, and instructions to access your learning. Your tutor may set personalised targets and ask you to complete learning tasks and homework activities. Throughout the course, your tutor will provide regular feedback about your progress. 

Live streamed learning is a fun and interactive way of working towards your personal learning goals. You will attend an online virtual classroom with set day and time each week. You need access to a PC, tablet or laptop and the internet.

One of our dedicated tutors will run the session. During the lesson, you will work with other learners and your tutor to achieve your goals. Your tutor will provide regular feedback to ensure you complete the course.

How to access google classroom

You will also get further guidance in your course welcome pack.

Our face-to-face courses allow you to meet and work with fellow learners. You will work towards your personal learning goals. You will need to be able to attend every session.

In our face-to-face courses you will take part in a variety of activities. You will work alone, in pairs or in a group. There will be a range of ways to learn such as activities, watching videos or using a computer which will help you meet the course aims.

You will attend one of our venues within Cambridgeshire, at a set time and day(s). One of our qualified tutors will run the course. They will set activities and learning and provide feedback on your progress.

Most qualifications have a difficulty level. The higher the level, the more difficult the qualification is. There are 8 Levels in England supported by 3 Entry levels. Cambridgeshire Skills offers a range of qualifications from entry level to Level 3.

Level 3 - Learning at this level is equivalent to learning at A level. They will prepare you for progression to Level 4 if appropriate.

Level 2 - Learning at this level is equivalent to learning at GCSE grade A-C.
(Or grade 4 and above for reformed GCSEs).

Levels 1 - Learning at this level is equivalent to learning at GCSE grades D-G.
(Or grades 3-1 for reformed GCSEs).

Beginners - Learning at this level involves building basic knowledge and skills in the subject offered, preparing for progression to Level 1 if appropriate.

Introduction - These courses will give you a basic understanding of your chosen subject.

                                   SkillsSteps

How much will it cost me?

Many of our courses are fully funded, meaning there is no cost for you to pay.

If you're 19 or older and a resident of Cambridgeshire or Peterborough, who has lived in the European Economic Area (EEA) for at last 3 years, you may qualify for free courses. This applies if you are unemployed and receiving benefits or earning less than £30,491 annually.

Other circumstances may also be considered for a fully funded place. Our friendly admissions team will be able to advise you, so please give them a call.

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Career information, advice and guidance

Information advice and guidance is a key element of the service offered by Cambridgeshire Skills. This service can be accessed at any stage in your learning journey with us and includes support such as:

  • understanding and finding the right course
  • help to explore career ideas and employment opportunities
  • writing a CV, preparing for an interview or developing job searching skills

We are committed to provide careers support that is:

  • accurate
  • impartial
  • confidential
  • tailored to your needs

We aim to support learners to progress and gain the skills and qualifications that are necessary for the workplaces of the future.

You can access this support by:

Attending a Guidance hub

Our drop-in Guidance hubs run in various library venues across the county on various days and times. Our Careers and Progression Officers are on hand to support with CVs, interview skills, job applications, job searching and more.

Booking a 1-1 Careers Guidance meeting

Our Careers and Progression Officers are available for telephone, online and face-to-face Careers Guidance Meetings where we can discuss your career aspirations.

Or give us a call:

  • Cambridge, South Cambs, East Cambs and Fenland – 07501 507866
  • Huntingdonshire – 07484 021651

Contact details

Telephone: 01353 613013 (Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm)
Email: cambsals@cambridgeshire.gov.uk

Notes

Any individual with any of the statuses listed below is eligible to receive funding and are exempt from the 3-year residency requirement rule:

a) Refugee status
b) Discretionary leave to enter or remain
c) Exceptional leave to enter or
d) Indefinite leave to enter or remain
e) Humanitarian protection
f) Leave outside the rule
g) Ukraine Family Schemeh) Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme (Homes for Ukraine
i) Ukrainian adults and their family members through the Ukraine Extension Scheme