Employability

Who this course is for

Adult learners who:

• Want to develop and enhance their skills for the working environment
• Develop their confidence for employment and motivation
• Improve communication skills and personal effectiveness

Would like to use this a stepping for further study.

What you will learn

Course content below is subject to change based on prior knowledge and skills of each cohort.

• Understand why certain mindset qualities are important to employers, identify your own qualities and explore your own experiences of these qualities
• Teamwork – be introduced to some of the basic skills needed to work with others and how you can improve your working relationships
• How do you decide which is the right job for you? Explore your skills, hobbies and interests and match to job roles. There may be a whole new career path you’ve never thought of before.
• Getting interview ready – learn about body language, interview questions (yours, not just the interviewer’s questions), researching a company and preparing for that all important interview.
• Identifying the next steps in your career path.

You will have the opportunity to discuss and set your individual learning targets with your tutor and discuss the support you might need to ensure you have an enjoyable and meaningful learning experience.

Qualification

This is a course for complete beginners and no prior subject knowledge or skills are required. A basic level of literacy is needed (E3) and learners will complete a literacy assessment in week one.

On this course you will need to: 

• follow verbal and written instructions and work through them at your own pace 
• listen and join in group discussions 
• jot down notes to record relevant information 
• keep your work organised in a file 
• use a PC/laptop or tablet for research or to present your work and to access our learning platform
• have some dexterity using your hands

Knowledge and Skills needed to join the course

This is a course for complete beginners and no prior subject knowledge or skills are required as this is an Introductory course to mental health and wellbeing.

A basic level of literacy will be needed (E3 - L1)

On this course you will need to: 

• Follow verbal and written instructions and work through them at your own pace
• Listen and join in group discussions
• Jot down notes to record relevant information
• Keep your work organised in a file
• Use a PC/laptop or tablet for research or to present your work and to access our learning platform

The materials you will need 

At enrolment, you will need your National Insurance number and proof of benefits (if applicable).

Your tutor will provide many of the learning resources, but you will need to come prepared to the lessons with an A4 pad; pen and folder or file to keep your work organised.

It will be an advantage, but not essential, if you have access to the internet at home to extend your learning.

How you will learn 

Each session will consist of a dynamic tutor presentation followed by a range of interactive activities.

There will be plenty of revision and consolidation and learning will build on previous learning.

Your progress will be monitored by informal and formal assessment tasks, and you will receive verbal and written feedback from the tutor to help you make good progress.

NCFE Entry Level Award in Employability will be assessed through a build up of learner’s work to be submitted as a portfolio at the end of the course. The portfolio is then internally assessed, before being moderated and submitted to the exam board (NCFE) for external moderation.

What happens after you complete your course

On completion of this course, you can progress to:

• NCFE Entry Level Certificate in Employability – Work Awareness
• Courses highlighted in your development/action plan – this will depend on your chosen career path
• Digital Skills Courses – Sefton Community Learning Service 
• Health and Social Care Courses with Sefton Community Learning Service and Hugh Baird College or Southport College 
• Further Employability Courses – Sefton Community Learning Service
• English or Maths Functional Skills Courses

Ask your tutor for advice and a copy of the progression ladder.

Sefton Community Learning Service offers a range of Functional Skills courses from Entry 1 up to Level 2 if you need to brush up your Maths and English skills or require a qualification to support you with your career path.

Sefton@Work will be able to provide independent information, advice, and guidance to support you making informed choices for progression into further education, volunteering, or employment.

How to enrol 

You can find out how to enrol on this page. 

Who this course is for

Adult learners who:

• Would like to research potential career paths
• Want to identify their own skills and qualities and possibly explore other career paths than the one they are on now
• Would like to develop a long-term action plan with step-by-step targets to reach their goals

The programme is split into two parts, the first part is an introductory workshop, that leads to a Level 1 qualification course to extend your skills and knowledge.

What you will learn

Course content below is subject to change based on prior knowledge and skills of each cohort.

• Identify existing skills, personal preferences, values and personal interests to help plan a career path
• Match career opportunities suitable for your personal attributes and preferences
• Explore own capabilities to meet a future career choice
• Identify areas for personal and career development
• Explore your own long and short-term career goals
• Identify and plan career development activities to achieve these career goals
• Create a career action plan
• Learn how to carry out search techniques to determine job or further learning opportunities.
• Learn how to work with application documents to secure work or further learning
• Discover how to make a positive image at interviews

You will have the opportunity to discuss and set your individual learning targets with your tutor and discuss the support you might need to ensure you have an enjoyable and meaningful learning experience.

Knowledge and Skills needed to join the course

This is a course for complete beginners and no prior subject knowledge or skills are required. A basic level of literacy needed (E3 - L1)

On this course you will need to: 

• follow verbal and written instructions and work through them at your own pace 
• listen and join in group discussions 
• jot down notes to record relevant information 
• keep your work organised in a file 
• use a PC/laptop or tablet for research or to present your work and to access learning sites/platforms
• have some dexterity using your hands

The materials you will need 

At enrolment, you will need your NI number and proof of benefits (if applicable).

Your tutor will provide many of the learning resources, but you will need to come prepared to the lessons with an A4 pad; pen and folder or file to keep your work organised.

It will be an advantage, but not essential, if you have access to the internet at home to extend your learning. If needed, your tutor will be able to support you with IT skills required for your course.

How you will learn 

Each session will consist of a dynamic tutor presentation followed by a range of interactive activities.

There will be plenty of revision and consolidation and learning will build on previous learning.

Your progress will be monitored by informal assessment tasks, and you will receive verbal and written feedback from the tutor to help you make good progress.

Introductory course leads to a formal qualification awarded by Ascentis.  For the qualification you will be formally assessed through the building up of a portfolio of course work. The portfolio will be assessed, by the tutor, against a given set of criteria, which learners have to satisfy before passing the course.

The portfolios are then subject to Sefton Community Learning Service internal quality assurance process before being submitted to the awarding body (Ascentis) for certification.

What happens after you complete your course

On completion of this course, you can progress to:

• Courses highlighted in your development/action plan – this will depend on your chosen career path
• Digital skills courses – Sefton Community Learning Service 
• Health and Social Care Courses – Sefton Community Learning Service and Hugh Baird College 
• Further Employability Courses – Sefton Community Learning Service
• English or Maths Functional Skills Courses - Sefton Community Learning Service

Ask your tutor for advice and a copy of the progression ladder.

Sefton Community Learning Service offers a range of Functional Skills courses from Entry 1 up to Level 2 if you need to brush up your maths and English skills or require a qualification to support you with your career path.

Sefton@Work will be able to provide independent information, advice, and guidance to support you making informed choices for progression into further education, volunteering, or employment.

How to enrol 

You can find out how to enrol on this page. 

Who this course is for

Anyone who is looking for an introduction to employment and business including rights and responsibilities of employers and employees. You will gain theoretical knowledge in business and take part in class activities relating to setting up a business.

The programme is split into two parts, the first part is an introductory workshop, that leads to a Level 1 qualification course to extend your skills and knowledge in employment, business and enterprise.

What you will learn

Course content below is subject to change based on prior knowledge and skills of each cohort.

Introduction

You will be introduced to subjects on employment, business and enterprise including employment laws, data protection, health and safety and employers’ responsibilities.

Qualification

Understand employment responsibilities and rights

• Aspects of employment covered by law
• Employer responsibilities in the workplace
• Agreed ways of working with employers
• Available guidance and support for employment issues
• Personal information that must be kept up to date with employers

Understand the skills and requirements of running a business

• The skills and qualities needed within a workforce to help a business/ enterprise be successful
• The basic functions of running a successful business
• The advantages and disadvantages of different types of networking
• The ethical issues a business needs to consider
• Why a business may have financial problems
• Setting up a business – creating a code of conduct

Understand enterprise within business

• Entrepreneurial skills needed within a workforce to make a business successful
• Situations where entrepreneurial skills, attitudes and qualities are important
• Financial risks of developing new ideas
• Key differences between sole proprietors, partnerships and companies
• Setting up a business – design a company logo and flyer

Understand customer service

• Why customers are good for business
• Why it is important to make a good first impression
• Examples of good and bad customer service
• What makes good customer service
• The people who need to be informed in response to a complaint made by a customer
• Positive ways of dealing with complaints made by customers
• Setting up a business – sell to customers and deal with angry customers

Business networking event

• Using businesses created attend a mock business networking event within the class
• Meet businesses and make partnerships
• Improve confidence and communication skills

Knowledge and Skills needed to join the course

You will need some basic computer knowledge - using a keyboard, mouse/touchpad, logging on to a computer and Internet searching.

Level 1 literacy skills needed.  On this course you will need to be able to:

• follow verbal and written instructions and work through them at your own pace
• listen and join in group discussions
• jot down notes to record relevant information
• keep your work organised in a file
• use a PC/laptop or tablet for research/present your work and to undertake the e-assessment.

The materials you will need 

At enrolment, you will need your NI number and proof of benefits (if applicable).

Your tutor will provide most of the learning resources, but you will need to come prepared to the lessons with an A4 pad; pen and folder or file to keep your work organised.

It will be an advantage, but not essential, if you have access to the internet at home to extend your learning.

How you will learn 

Each session will consist of a dynamic tutor presentation followed by a range of activities including demonstrations, discussion and using computers/iPads.

There will be plenty of revision and practice to build on previous learning. You will receive feedback from the tutor to prepare you for the end of course test.

Your progress will be monitored by informal assessment tasks during the course. 

To gain the qualification awarded by Ascentis, you will need to successfully complete a 40 minute e-assessment consisting of 20 multiple choice questions. 

It is expected that you complete some work at home between sessions to consolidate and extend learning.

What happens after you complete your course

On completion of this course, Sefton Community Learning Service offers you progression to non-accredited  and accredited programmes in employability courses, education and training or ICT, i.e. Award in Equality and Diversity, Intro to Customer Services, and Functional Skills ICT.

You can also progress to a BTEC L1/L2 First Diploma in Business at Hugh Baird College.

Ask your tutor for advice and a copy of the progression ladder.

Sefton Community Learning Service offers a range of Functional Skills courses from Entry 1 up to Level 2 if you need to brush up your Maths and English skills or require a qualification to support you with your career path.

Sefton@Work will be able to provide independent information, advice, and guidance to support you making informed choices for progression into further education, volunteering, or employment.

How to enrol 

You can find out how to enrol on this page.

Who this course is for

Adult learners who are looking for an introduction to the customer service environment and want to gain employment in this area.

The programme is split into two parts, the first part is an introductory course, that leads to an Entry Level 3 qualification course to extend your skills and knowledge in customer service.

What you will learn

Course content below is subject to change based on prior knowledge and skills of each cohort.

Introduction

• Introduction to customer service
• Working as part of a team
• Body language

Qualification

Understand the benefits to the organisation of good customer service

• Give examples of good practice in customer service

Understand the possible consequences of poor customer service

• Give an example for each of how poor customer service can affect:
  • Customers
  • The organisation
  • Staff

Understand the value of first impressions

• State why it is important to make a good first impression
• Give examples for each of how to make a good impression:
  •  Face to face
  • On the telephone

Understand positive verbal and non-verbal interaction with customers

• Demonstrate appropriate ways of communicating with customers verbally
• Give examples of non-verbal communication
• Show how non-verbal communication can be used positively in a face-to-face  situation

Understand that respect for the individual is at the heart of good customer service

• State why it is important to maintain customer confidentiality
• State why it is important to respect the needs of customers from different cultures and backgrounds

Understand his/her role in dealing with complaints from customers

• State how to report a complaint made by a customer.

Knowledge and Skills needed to join the course

You will need some basic computer knowledge - using a keyboard, mouse/touchpad, logging on to a computer and Internet searching.

Entry Level 3 literacy skills are needed.  On this course you will need to be able to:

• follow verbal and written instructions and work through them at your own pace
• listen and join in group discussions
• jot down notes to record relevant information
• keep your work organised in a file
• use a PC/laptop or tablet for research/present your work and to undertake the e-assessment.

The materials you will need 

At enrolment, you will need your NI number and proof of benefits (if applicable).

Your tutor will provide most of the learning resources, but you will need to come prepared to the lessons with an A4 pad; pen and folder or file to keep your work organised.

It will be an advantage, but not essential, if you have access to the internet at home to extend your learning.

How you will learn 

Each session will consist of a dynamic tutor presentation followed by a range of activities including demonstrations, discussion and using computers/iPads.

There will be plenty of revision and practice to build on previous learning. You will receive regular verbal and written feedback from the tutor to help you make good progress and prepare you for the end of course examination.

Your progress will be monitored by a portfolio of tasks completed during the course.  To achieve the E3 Award accredited by Ascentis you will need to successfully complete all tasks/assignments.

It is expected that you complete some work at home between sessions to consolidate and extend learning.

What happens after you complete your course

On completion of this course, Sefton Community Learning Service offers you progression to qualifications in Entry 3/Level 1 Awards in Equality & Diversity, Level 1 Award in Business and Enterprise, Preparing to Work in Schools or L1 Award in Customer Service.

Alternatively, you can progress to other non-accredited courses including: employability courses, education and training or ICT.

Ask your tutor for advice and a copy of the progression ladder.

Sefton Community Learning Service offers a range of Functional Skills courses from Entry 1 up to Level 2 if you need to brush up your Maths and English skills or require a qualification to support you with your career path.

Sefton@Work will be able to provide independent information, advice, and guidance to support you making informed choices for progression into further education, volunteering, or employment.

How to enrol 

You can find out how to enrol on this page.

Who this course is for

Anyone who is looking for an introduction to the concepts of Equality and Diversity. You will gain theoretical knowledge on equality and diversity and look a case studies relating to these subjects.

The programme is split into two parts, the first week is an introductory course, that leads to a Level 1 qualification course to extend your skills and knowledge in equality and diversity.

What you will learn

Course content below is subject to change based on prior knowledge and skills of each cohort.

Introduction

• You will be introduced to subjects on equality and diversity
• What the terms equality and diversity mean
• What is diversity?
• What is discrimination?

Qualification

What is Equality?

• Equality
• Diversity
• Fairness
• Identity
• Equality Act 2010
• Discrimination
• Stereotyping
• Protected Characteristics

What is Diversity?

• The importance of gender equality
• The UK Think Act Report campaign and its impact on equality at work
• Disability and the Access to Work scheme
• Public bodies and their duties under the Equality Act 2010
• Ways in which people may feel discriminated against because of their race
• Inclusive and anti-racist language

How the law impacts on equality and diversity

• The Equality Act 2010 and the way in which this legislation protects people from discrimination
• Different ways in which people can be discriminated against
• Positive action that can be taken by employers to promote opportunities for people who have protected characteristics
• Disability and reasonable adjustments in the workplace

Best practice within the organisation

• Using the Golden Rule principle to encourage operating in a fair way and respecting diversity
• The importance of using respectful language
• Useful sources of information about equality and diversity

Discrimination

• Unfair treatment of groups of people with particular characteristics.
• Types of discrimination based on:
  • Racism, Ageism, Sexism, Homophobia, Transphobia, Discrimination on the grounds of disability, Discrimination on the grounds of religion and belief and Discrimination on the grounds of pregnancy and maternity

Knowledge and Skills needed to join the course

You will need some basic computer knowledge - using a keyboard, mouse/touchpad, logging on to a computer and Internet searching.

Level 1 literacy skills needed.  On this course you will need to be able to:

• follow verbal and written instructions and work through them at your own pace
• listen and join in group discussions
• jot down notes to record relevant information
• keep your work organised in a file
• use a PC/laptop or tablet for research/present your work and to undertake the e-assessment.

The materials you will need 

At enrolment, you will need your NI number and proof of benefits (if applicable).

Your tutor will provide most of the learning resources, but you will need to come prepared to the lessons with an A4 pad; pen and folder or file to keep your work organised.

It will be an advantage, but not essential, if you have access to the internet at home to extend your learning.

How you will learn 

Each session will consist of a dynamic tutor presentation followed by a range of activities including demonstrations, discussion and using computers/iPads.

There will be plenty of revision and practice to build on previous learning. You will receive regular verbal and written feedback from the tutor to help you make good progress and prepare you for the end of course examination.

Your progress will be monitored by informal assessment tasks during the course.  In order to gain the qualification awarded by Ascentis, you will need to successfully complete a 40 minute e-assessment consisting of 20 multiple choice questions. 

It is expected that you complete some work at home between sessions to consolidate and extend learning.

What happens after you complete your course

On completion of this course, Sefton Community Learning Service offers you progression to qualifications in Level 1 Award in Awareness of Social Media and Online safety, Employment, Business and Enterprise or Introduction to Customer Service.

Alternatively, you can progress to other non-accredited courses including: employability courses, education and training or ICT.

Ask your tutor for advice and a copy of the progression ladder.

Sefton Community Learning Service offers a range of Functional Skills courses from Entry 1 up to Level 2 if you need to brush up your Maths and English skills or require a qualification to support you with your career path.

Sefton@Work will be able to provide independent information, advice, and guidance to support you making informed choices for progression into further education, volunteering, or employment.

How to enrol 

You can find out how to enrol on this page.