Could you be ‘on course’ for a brighter future in 2020?
Liverpool City Council’s Adult Learning Service (ALS) is offering everyone in the city a new start in learning with a packed programme of personal development for the year ahead.
Each year the ALS puts on hundreds of courses which are aimed at anyone aged 19 or over who wants to broaden their horizons, learn new skills and improve their employment prospects.
The course developed by the ALS can be for pleasure or for professional development. You can get hands-on with a new hobby or work towards an accredited qualification.
The city council service has been rated as ‘good’ by education standards watchdog OFSTED.
Last year more than 8,000 adults took part in ALS courses at venues across the city.
They studied everything from English and Maths, through to languages and business skills. There were courses in photography, flower arranging and sewing along with studies that could support job opportunities in teaching, social care, catering, beauty and information technology.
In some cases, funding may be available to help cover course costs, travelling expenses, childcare and exam fees.
Enrolment is currently underway and new courses will begin on the week beginning Monday 13 January.
You can find a full list of what’s on offer at Liverpool City Council’s website: www.liverpool.gov.uk – search for ‘Adult Learning’.
Enrolment events will take place at:
- Park Road Adult Learning Centre, L8 6SE on Tuesday 7 January between 10am and 7pm.
- Calderstones Adult Learning Centre, Calderstones School, Harthill Road, L18 3HS on Wednesday 8 January between 5pm and 8pm.
- Newsham Adult Learning Centre, Newsham Drive L6 7UH on Thursday 9 January between 10am and 7pm.
Norris Green Adult Learning Centre, Clubmoor Children’s Centre, Utting Avenue East L11 1DQ on Friday 10 January, between 10am and 3pm.
Olivia’s Language of Success
FIVE years ago Olivia swapped the banks of Arno in her native Florence for the ferry across the Mersey.
The 43-year-old was a graduate in Business and Economics and specialised in marketing and events management.
She moved to Liverpool with her work and quickly fell in love with her adopted home.
“Liverpool is such a dynamic place, with amazing buildings and plenty of cultural events,” said Olivia. “I quickly decided I wanted to stay.”
Working as a market research interviewer, she realised that she needed to brush up on her basic English.
“I wanted to improve my English, my communication skills and my confidence,” she said. “I feel that it is an important educational opportunity for anybody that comes to the city from a different background.”
Olivia heard about the Adult Learning Service from a Liverpool City Council employee and quickly settled on studying English Functional Skills. She eventually went on to pass her GCSE English.
Today Oliva still works in the world of marketing but she has a sideline in helping Scousers get to grips with Italian.
She now works at the Adult Learning Service and runs courses in the Italian language.
“Many of the people who come on the course want to learn how to get by when they visit Italy,” she said. “Others need to learn the language for business or because they have a partner who is Italian.” She added: “I am very grateful to have had this opportunity because teaching is a very rewarding job. You can make a big difference to people’s lives and help them achieve their goals in work and life.”
