At the height of the cost of living crisis, the Heart of Yorkshire Education Group is providing adult learners with the opportunity to enhance their prospects by gaining a new qualification, upskilling or retraining.
In January 2023, the Group will be launching a range of new adult programmes across its three campuses in Castleford, Selby and Wakefield, such as Essential and Advanced Digital Skills courses, English for Speakers of other Languages (ESOL), Electric and Hybrid Vehicle programmes, innovative Engineering courses, Counselling and more.
These new qualifications will form part of the Group’s Higher Education and part-time Adult provision which covers a range of areas, including Accounting, Animal Care, Business, Childcare and Early Years, Computing and IT, Construction, Counselling, Dental Nursing, Engineering, English and Mathematics, Hair & Beauty, Health & Social Care, Hospitality & Catering, Music, Personnel, Sports, Exercise & Fitness and Teacher Training.
As part of its commitment to expand and enhance its adult offer, the Heart of Yorkshire Education Group has appointed Andra Ghencea as Director of Adult Skills.
Andra has over ten years’ experience working in the education sector, in Further and Higher Education. Throughout her career, she has been instrumental in delivering a range of very successful adult learning programmes to thousands of learners.
Andra said: “I’m thrilled to be starting my role at such a pivotal time in the sector and economy. With many feeling the repercussions of the cost of living crisis, we are committed to ensuring adults have the opportunity to boost their prospects – whether that be gaining a new qualification, upskilling in an existing role or even retraining. Our adult offer has been developed in response to the needs of our local communities and current times, which will for example, enable people to learn English as a second language to help them with their next steps, or allow people to develop essential digital skills which make everyday life that bit easier.”
“We are also working closely with employers from a range of industries to deliver an innovative curriculum which aids learners to gain the skills sought out by employers – allowing them to progress on to meaningful careers whilst giving employers the means to future-proof their workforce,” added Andra.
In response to the demand for greener skills, Selby College is also launching a brand-new Skills Bootcamp in the Principles of Carbon Capture and Storage in January, which is designed to provide learners with the higher-technical skills and knowledge to operate this climate-saving technology.
Addressing the digital skills gap, Wakefield College is also starting a range of introductory IT and Computing courses in Cybersecurity, Digital Graphics, Digital Marketing, Programming and Website Design and Development.
Following the success of its ESOL courses at its Wakefield campus, Castleford College and Selby College will now offer ESOL classes varying from Entry Level to Level 2 for those living in the UK who wish to learn or improve their English.
Former student Hela Sedki, who started on Functional English and Functional Mathematics courses at Wakefield College after moving to the UK from Tunisia, said about her time at Wakefield College:
“When I arrived at the College, the tutors were incredibly helpful and ensured that I was on the right level of course. They always encouraged me to reach beyond my boundaries and gave me support and reassurance so that I could achieve anything I set my mind too. Completing my English and Maths qualifications was the stepping stone I needed to start my Teacher Training qualification and follow my dream of becoming a Teaching Assistant.” The Group also offers Distance Learning courses, allowing learners to gain a new qualification online and from the comfort of their own homes and completely free of charge.
A range of funding is also available for learners aged 19+ to support with upfront costs of its Higher Education and part-time Adult courses, including Advanced Learner Loans. If learners are aged 18-24 and have not gained qualifications at Level 3, they may be eligible to undertake study without charge.
“We understand the boundaries people face when trying to juggle learning alongside other commitments such as employment or raising a family, which is why it’s important to us to make our courses flexible and affordable. Adult learners also have dedicated classes and spaces across our campuses and have full access to student support services, meaning they can learn in a supportive and friendly environment alongside likeminded learners,” added Andra.