Courses for Young People Aged 16-18 years
Our Study Programme is designed to help young people prepare for adulthood, develop new skills, and build confidence.
We offer a range of courses from Entry Level through to GCSE-equivalent qualifications, helping learners achieve their goals and progress to their next step.
Click drop down menus below for more information:
Our Study Programme is open to anyone who:
- Has left school
- Is aged between 16 and 18 (or 19 and 24 if they have an Education, Health and Care plan sometimes called an EHC plan)
- Lives in Darlington or the Tees Valley and the surrounding area
- Has the right to live and work in the UK
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Achieving a Skills for Employment, Training and Personal Development (SETPD) qualification
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Work experience opportunities
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Taking part in the John Muir Award
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Visits and workshops delivered by external partners, including NatWest, covering topics such as money management and financial wellbeing
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Careers advice, guidance and support, including CV writing, job searching, and applying for employment or apprenticeships
Classes take place in person at Bennett House, which is in Darlington town centre and some students may also have the opportunity to work from home.
Our main courses usually run for a full academic year (September-July), but we can accommodate applications at any time throughout the year.
Sessions run Monday-Friday and are available in the morning (9am-12 noon), afternoon (1-3pm) or for a whole day (9am-3pm). We will agree your timetable with you before you start your course.
With smaller class sizes, dedicated support, and a calm learning environment, learners can develop at a pace that works for them while working towards their personal and career goals.
Our programme is free to attend for all learners accepted onto the course, and learners can choose a free lunch each day.
Please complete a referral application form [word document] and hand it in at Bennet House, 14 Horsemarket, Darlington DL1 5PT or email a copy to L&[email protected].
You can also contact Malcolm Bleasby, Study Programme Manager on 01325 406422/ 07983 996144/ [email protected] for an informal discussion.
Take a look at our course information below.
Course summary
This course will help you develop the skills to communicate professionally with customers and could lead onto a Level 2 diploma.
What will the course cover?
This course will cover aspects of the below:
- Customer service skills
- Communication skills
- Teamwork skills
- Time management
- Dealing with people and conflict
- Employment rights
- English, maths and digital skills
Work experience
Work experience with a local business or charity is required as part of this course and we will work with you to find a suitable placement
What could I do when I have finished this course?
You could move on to a :
- Customer Service Practitioner apprenticeship
- Level 2 Diploma in Customer Services
- Employment in your chosen area
- Other further education courses, such as Functional Skills
Where and when will I learn?
This course is taught from Bennett House, 14 Horsemarket, Darlington, DL1 5PT
What do I need to bring with me?
You will not need to bring anything along, just roll your sleeves up and try something new or develop your skills
What do I do next?
If you require help with the form please contact us on 01325 405601, 07932 869325 or l&[email protected]
Course summary
This course will help you develop the skills you need for the world of work and is a step towards beginning an apprenticeship or further training.
What will the course cover?
This course will cover aspects of the below:
- Confidence building
- Career planning
- Teamwork skills
- Time management
- Job seeking skills
- Employment rights
- English, maths and digital skills
Work experience
Work experience with a local business or charity is required as part of this course and we will work with you to find a suitable placement
What could I do when I have finished this course?
You could continue onto a :
- Apprenticeship in your chosen area
- A classroom/theory based course in your chosen area
- Employment in your chosen area
- Other further education courses, such as Functional Skills
Where and when will I learn?
This course is taught from Bennett House, 14 Horsemarket, Darlington, DL1 5PT
What do I need to bring with me?
You will not need to bring anything along, just roll your sleeves up and try something new or develop your skills
What do I do next?
If you require help with the form please contact us on 01325 405601, 07932 869325 or l&[email protected]
Course summary
This course will give you the skills and knowledge you need to be able to continue onto an apprenticeship or employment in a Customer Service role.
What will the course cover?
This course will cover aspects of the below:
- Essential customer service skills including (but not limited to) communication skills, reception services, customer sales, information processing and rights and responsibilities in the workplace
- Problem solving
- Working to deadlines
- English, maths and digital skills
Work experience
Twenty to thirty hours of work experience with a local business or charity is required as part of this course and we will work with you to find a suitable placement
What could I do when I have finished this course?
You could continue onto a :
- Customer Service Specialist apprenticeship
- Level 3 Diploma in Customer Services
- Employment in your chosen area
- Other further education courses, such as Functional Skills
Where and when will I learn?
This course is taught from Bennett House, 14 Horsemarket, Darlington, DL1 5PT
What do I need to bring with me?
You will not need to bring anything along, just roll your sleeves up and try something new or develop your skills
What do I do next?
If you require help with the form please contact us on 01325 405601, 07932 869325 or l&[email protected]
Course summary
This course will help you to develop your skills and personal strengths and allow you to achieve your goals. Good, quality, impartial careers advice is included with your programme and all vocational units are moulded around each learner depending on their needs and levels.
What will the course cover?
This course will cover aspects of the below:
- Confidence building
- Team work
- Understanding the world of work
- English, maths and digital skills
Work experience
Work experience with a local business or charity is required as part of this course and we will work with you to find a suitable placement
What could I do when I have finished this course?
You could continue onto a :
- Apprenticeship in your chosen area
- A classroom/theory based course in your chosen area
- Employment in your chosen area
- Other further education courses, such as Functional Skills
Where and when will I learn?
This course is taught from Bennett House, 14 Horsemarket, Darlington, DL1 5PT
What do I need to bring with me?
You will not need to bring anything along, just roll your sleeves up and try something new or develop your skills
What do I do next?
If you require help with the form please contact us on 01325 405601, 07932 869325 or l&[email protected]
English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) 16-18 year olds
This course helps speakers of other languages develop their communication skills to access higher or further education and find employment or training.
Costs
Our programmes are free to attend for all who are accepted on the courses.
You will receive weekly transport vouchers and lunches whilst attending your programme and you may be eligible for a means tested bursary.
How to enrol
- You can contact Malcolm Bleasby (Study Programme Manager) on 01325 406422/ 07983 996144/ [email protected] for an informal discussion.
- Agencies working with young people can submit a referral application form [word document] on behalf of the individual.