The Bedfordshire Employment and Skills Adult Learning Service (BESS) is continuing to deliver online and distance based adult learning during current lockdown restrictions.

Courses are delivered by our in-house teams as well as a range of external training providers working as part of the BESS partnership.

BESS currently has over 40 workshops and courses to choose from that are FREE* (*subject to eligibility)

Most courses are enrolling during June, July and August. Some courses are accredited so you can work towards qualifications to help you gain work or support a career change or career progression.

The BESS curriculum includes:

• English
• ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages)
• Maths
• IT and digital skills
• Support with wellbeing and mental health
• Preparing for employment
• Working with and supporting children and young people
• Apprenticeships

A list of workshops and courses with information and how to enrol can be seen by looking at our upcoming course list.

An overview of the workshops and courses available can be seen by looking at our curriculum map.

If you would like someone to help you get started on the right course please contact us with your details. Use the comments box in the online form to let us know what learning you are interested in. An adviser or the relevant training provider will then get in touch to help get you started.

 BESS has advisers that can help furloughed, unemployed and employed adults

Support includes:

• Identifying your skills and areas for development
• Finding courses to help you develop your skills
• Making improvements to your CV
• Help with job applications
• Interview preparation

 To arrange support please contact us with your details. Use the comments box in the online form to let us know how we can help you. A adviser will then get in touch to provide one-to-one support.

 BESS quick guide for some of the workshops and courses available during June and July:

See our upcoming course list for more information

• Introduction to Digital Job Searching workshops in June and July. Email NCS@centralbedfordshire.gov.uk.
• Using IT for Communication in June and July. Email info@bepositivenox.co.uk or call Angus on 07710 678267.
• ICT for Improvers starting Monday 29^th June and Wednesday 1^st July. Email NCS@centralbedfordshire.gov.uk.
• IT User Skills (Level 1 and Level 2 qualification) flexible start dates. Email info@jrny.org.uk .
• Writing Group starting Tuesday 30^th June and Thursday 2^nd July. Email NCS@centralbedfordshire.gov.uk.
• Family Learning English Grammar for Parents starting Monday 29^th June and Wednesday 1^st July. Email NCS@centralbedfordshire.gov.uk.
• English Speaking and Listening Online (ESOL). Email academy@noahenterprise.org.
• Functional Skills Maths and English flexible start dates. Email enquiries@evolveyourfuture.co.uk
• Skills for Wellbeing and Skills to Move Forwards flexible start dates. Email courses@ssgservices.co.uk.
• Staying Well during Isolation starting week commencing Monday 22^nd June. Email academy@noahenterprise.org.
• Understanding Autism (Level 2 qualification) starting week commencing Monday 13^th July.
• Understanding Behaviour that Challenges (Level 2 qualification) starting week commencing Monday 13^th July.
• Prevention and Control of Infection (Level 2 Award) Bedford Borough residents email Helen.Field@bedford.gov.uk. Central Bedfordshire residents email Academy@centralbedfordshire.gov.uk
• Understanding Neuroscience in the Early Years (Level 2 Award). Email Academy@centralbedfordshire.gov.uk
• Understanding Safeguarding and Prevent (Level 2 Award) Bedford Borough residents Email Helen.Field@bedford.gov.uk. Central Bedfordshire residents Email Academy@centralbedfordshire.gov.uk

Contact Us

For learning and support into work use our contact us online form

Email: NCS@centralbedfordshire.gov.uk

Telephone: 0300 300 8110

www.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk/adultlearning

COVID-19 advice and support

Don’t forget there’s lots of advice and information on our website about the support and help available, visit www.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk/covidinfo

COVID-19 health advice

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