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Pre-Employment Study Programmes

Pre-Employment Study Programmes are a range of courses for 16-18 year olds in the Darlington and Tees Valley area that enable them to develop their personal, social and employability skills whilst in an environment that suits their way of learning. The courses allow young people to gain some real life work experience with an employer to increase their chances of gaining employment, further training or an Apprenticeship.

We also offer English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) for 16-18 years through the Study Programme.Study Programme ESOL leaflet [pdf document].

Study Programme Leaflet

What are the Pre-Employment Study Programmes?

Who is this course for?

  • These programmes are designed for learners aged 16-18 (school leavers)

Entry requirements

  • Aged 16-18
  • Have the right to live and work in the UK
  • Reside in the DL or TS postcode area, or within commuting distance of Darlington

What is the curriculum intent of these Programmes?

  • These programmes are designed to improve learners preparation for adulthood, enhance their skills and improve confidence in social, academic and working lives ready for work or further educational opportunities
  • Learners will have gained an academic qualification relevant to their level of study in their chosen vocational area, maths and English, gained work experience in an area of their choice and developed social skills as part of their Study Programme
  • We are able to provide additional support in the form of small class sizes (five or less) for those Study Programme students who have not achieved grade 4 or above in GCSE English and maths by age 16
  • We will also provide additional one to one support, where appropriate, for those learners over and above their normal scheduled lessons where learning has been disrupted

What will the Programmes cover?

  • We offer qualifications from pre-entry level up to level 2 depending on the learners’ ability and pre-course experience. These include maths, English, Skills for Employment, Training and Personal Development, joinery, motor vehicle maintenance as well as business administration and customer service
  • Work experience also forms part of the programme as well as many other enrichment activities and opportunities, including educational trips

Progression from these Programmes?

  • Completion of the programme will enhance application to an apprenticeship, further education or employment

Where and when will I learn?

  • 14 Bennet House on Darlington's market square (in the old Citizens Advice Bureau building)
  • Depending on your qualification, you may also attend vocational workshops at our Lingfield Way site
  • There may be opportunity to work remotely from home
  • The programme runs for a full academic year, September to July. Shorter courses are available depending on the time of application

What should I bring with me?

  • For your initial visit / induction please bring:
    - Proof of ID with you (if you have any, don’t worry if not)
    - Any qualifications that you have previously gained (again, don’t worry if you don’t have any)
  • Otherwise, please just bring yourself and your enthusiasm

How much will these Programmes cost?

  • These programmes are free to attend with no cost to any applicant
  • You will receive weekly transport vouchers and lunches whilst attending your programme and you may be eligible for a bursary to enhance your learning (these are means tested - terms and conditions apply)

What shall I do next?

Courses

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News and Case Studies

 

London Visit

The learners from our Study Programme enjoyed an absolutely fantastic trip to London in which included a visit to Leicester Square, Covent Garden, Trafalgar Square, Downing Street and the Houses of Parliament. In Parliament we met with our local MP Peter Gibson, toured The House of Commons and the House of Lords and took part in a debate over free travel after the tour.

Reece King

A case study poster with picture of our student Reece King holding up a Thank You Learning & Skills sign. Underneath is Reece's quote.

"Before I joined Learning & Skills Darlington, I was a student at Beaumont Hill Academy. I had wanted to join Darlington College, and when I finally became an actual student there, I only lasted 3 days before my anxiety got the better of me and made me upset. I had to return to Beaumont Hill Academy. While it was better for me to return, my actions outside of education were unhealthy to say the least.

I started to finally act like a proper adult before turning 18. I attended my first day of Learning & Skills Darlington’s Study Programme at their better and more central location, Bennet House on the Market Square.

Now I’m 19 years old, turning 20. I feel much better mentally then I was 2 years ago. Learning & Skills Darlington has taught me that I can have conversations again without looking and feeling awkward. I’m enjoying other people’s company more often than not.

Thanks to Learning & Skills Darlington, I’ve felt my confidence come back better than ever. I feel grateful to be accompanied by people who understand mine and the other student’s personal struggles. I’m really doing well with my maths, English and other skills.

Thank you, Learning & Skills."

 

Molly Rose Crick

A case study poster with picture of our student Molly Rose King holding up a Thank You Learning & Skills sign. Underneath is Mollys quote.

"When I started at Learning & Skills Darlington I was very nervous and anxious. I also had low self-esteem and low confidence. Thanks to the support from the staff at Learning & skills my confidence grew and I began to believe in myself and look forward to the future and experiences along the way.

Learning & Skills is a great place to learn if you have had a tough journey in education. All the staff are friendly and approachable, they are willing to help answer any queries and questions that you may have and they make difficult situations sound easy even though they might not be.

The staff at Learning & Skills can help you with your work and they don’t mind repeating themselves over and over again. Some of the experiences I have had are:

  • virtual speakers for school
  • helping the council environment services team
  • keeping the parks and pathways in the area looking tidy and smart

At Learning & skills there is a careers adviser who can help you get career opportunities throughout the year. Without Learning & Skills I wouldn’t be where I am today without the support and help they have given to me. The staff are friendly and approachable when anything unexpected happens.

Thank you Learning & Skills."

 

Work Experience

We are super proud of our Study Programme learners, having received the best ever feedback from the manager of DBC’s Environmental Services last week “the best group we have ever been sent to work with Environmental Services / Park Rangers”. The learners were resilient and all enjoyed their time out working despite the temperamental weather.

Some of the learners took part in work experience at Bennet House, including covering the reception desk and practicing their first aid skills.

A big thank you to the Study Programme and the Bennet House team who have pulled together these last two weeks and made sure everything has continued as normal.

“I enjoy coming to the Learning & Skills Study Programme. The tutors are very supportive and have helped me with my studying. I look forward to joining the Motor Vehicle Diploma course and then becoming an Apprentice” Ayman Alammar

Food for Thought Project

Our Study Programme students lent a helping hand with the Food for Thought Project in December. Thanks guys, great work!

Hippodrome Visit

Over a number of weeks, our Study Programme learners worked at the Hippodrome finding out about the story and the history of the theatre, its restoration, including funding for restoration. They have researched jobs in a theatre and developed the characters (ghosts, and ghostbusters) they eventually played in the Ghost Tour.

Many of the young people were anxious and nervous about getting involved, having never been to a theatre before, but working with the Actors’ Guild, alongside our tutors Debbie, Grainne and Jackie, the learners enjoyed a highly enriching experience, boosting their confidence, developing their cultural awareness and being genuinely appreciated by the people who went on the Tour. They all achieved a level 1 arts award as a result on top of their overall qualifications.

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