Curriculum and Resources
We deliver courses across Blackburn with Darwen to help people improve their well-being and work prospects.
We welcome all who have a desire to learn and progress their personal and professional development. We do this in a supportive and welcoming environment which all learners are encouraged to uphold for the comfort and enjoyment of each other.
ICT & Digital Skills
Digital skills are vital in the modern workplace, and for getting the most out of technology you use at home. We offer a range of accredited and non-accredited computing courses where you can gain valuable skills for both life and work.
Maybe you have some ICT skills already but would like a qualification to further your career, or perhaps you want to make the most out of your own smartphone or tablet.
However, don’t worry if you have limited computing or digital skills, we have a course or session to get you started on your journey.
Aims of the Programme & What we Offer
Our courses will help you to:
- Develop your Digital and ICT skills for both life and work
- Develop practical computer skills to support with applying for jobs and gaining employment
- Achieve a qualification in computing
- Gain confidence in using a digital device or a computer
- Learn basic computer skills and develop English language skills
Our Digital/ICT courses are designed to offer progression opportunities and routes that lead you to further/higher education, volunteering and employment.
From complete beginner to accredited ICT qualifications, we have a course suitable for you, including ESOL learners. Gaining a qualification in computing will assist you in a wide variety of jobs and careers.
Our weekly ICT Skills Builder Drop-In sessions are suitable for any learner who wishes to use a computer for the first time, improve their general ICT/Digital skills, apply for jobs or work on their CV. You can also bring your own laptop or tablet to the session.
Employability
Here at Blackburn with Darwen Adult Learning, one of our key priorities is to help people progress into work, training or further learning. We have a wide range of FREE sessions, courses and services to support you in upskilling and preparing for employment.
Perhaps you are looking to boost your CV? We offer qualifications such as Customer Care, Health and Social Care, First Aid, Food Safety and Safeguarding.
Volunteering can also be a great option. We work closely with the Lancashire Volunteer Partnership to guide you to find the right placement.
If you are unsure about your options for learning, training or work, we have advisors from the National Careers Service ready to help you.
Aims of the Programme & What we Offer
Our Employability courses will enable you to:
Build and enhance your CV
Make the first steps towards your career pathway
Acquire relevant employability skills and knowledge needed by employees
Upskill and prepare you for employment
Gain valuable and bespoke training for volunteers
For those wishing to enhance their career pathway, we also offer qualifications and routes to further/higher education, volunteering and employment.
Our Employability service covers a wide range of courses, from Interview Skills and Customer Care, to introductory sessions for those aiming to work in Retail, Health and Social care.
We have tutors on hand to help with your CV or job application.
In our First Aid sessions you can learn practical lifesaving skills such as the recovery position and treating minor injuries.
If your role requires you to handle food and drink, our Food Safety courses will give you the skills and knowledge required.
Health & Wellbeing
Our Health and Wellbeing, Positive Minds and Supported Learning area has something for everyone from one-off workshops introducing new topics, to longer courses where you can hone your skills over several sessions. The programme offers learners the opportunity to develop new skills, attitudes and social relationships that will enable them to lead healthier lives.
Courses are designed to support learners to make healthier lifestyle choices and use a range of wellbeing tools and strategies to enhance their health and mental wellbeing.
All courses are delivered in a safe environment to connect with others, develop positive relationships and provide links to other local community activities and groups.
Come along and try something new!
Aims of the Programme & What we Offer
Our courses will enable you to:
- Make small changes to improve your wellbeing
- Increase your confidence and meet new people
- Reduce the risk of long-term health conditions
- Learn new skills
- Apply the ‘5 Ways to Wellbeing’ to your everyday life
We work with a wide range of partners and specialist providers to deliver the most relevant and up-to-date courses to you.
These include Dementia Friends, Living Life to the Full, Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) England, and the Lancashire Recovery College.
Our Positive Minds courses are specifically developed to help you improve your emotional wellbeing, whilst learning something new, meeting new people, and having fun! Our tutors all have empathy and experience in mental health and will support you to build your confidence.
Five Ways to Wellbeing
It is important for us to look after our mental wellbeing as well as our physical wellbeing. According to research, these Five Ways to Wellbeing can really help, and our courses aim to fulfil some of these and encourage you to build them into your everyday life.
Find out more at mind.org.uk and nhs.uk.
ESOL
English for Speakers of Other Languages
If English is not your first language, you can take a course to help you improve your English language skills. You can gain a qualification at the end of your learning.
These qualifications offer the first steps in helping build your knowledge of the English language and will allow you to live more independently in the UK.
Aims of the Programme & What we Offer
Our ESOL courses will help you to:
- Feel more confident in the community
- Move onto other courses or training
- Progress into work
- Support your children with their school work
- Become independent with everyday life activities
We’re Here to Help
To find out more about our ESOL courses call 01254 507720
or email us at esol@blackburn.gov.uk
Visit our ESOL resources page for a wide variety of learning materials to help you make progress with your English language skills
Family Learning
At Blackburn with Darwen Adult Learning we have a team of dedicated, expert Family Learning tutors who deliver a range of courses (from 2 to 30 hours) in schools, family centres and community settings.
By finding out how children are learning and developing in nursery or school, Family Learning enables parents and carers to support this learning at home. Evidence shows that when parents or carers are involved in their children’s education, children achieve more. We use exciting resources and activities which make learning FUN!
We also provide a route back into education for those adults who want to improve their skills.
Aims of the Programme & What we Offer
Our Family learning courses will enable you to:
- Support children’s learning at home.
- Understand how children are taught in school.
- Find out about other services in your area.
- Improve and refresh your own skills, e.g. in English and maths.
For those wishing to progress further, we also offer qualifications and routes to further/higher education, volunteering and employment.
Our focus is on improving English, maths, digital skills and health & wellbeing for families across the community, concentrating on areas of highest need.
We can deliver a course at your school or centre
Any local school or centre looking to provide Family Learning for the families they work with should contact the Family Learning team to discuss their requirements.
Our programmes are flexible, friendly and fun. We will work with you to plan and deliver a Family Learning package that suits your needs.
