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.
What are the Pre-Employment Study Programmes?
Who is this course for?
- These programmes are designed for all learners aged 16-18 (school leavers)
- These programmes are designed for learners aged 19 to 24 that have an EHC Plan
Entry requirements
- Aged 16-18
- Have the right to live and work in the UK
- Reside 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, carpentry and joinery, 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?
- Look at the programmes available below then please complete the referral form [word document] to apply
- Alternatively, please contact Malcolm Bleasby (Programme Manager) on 01325 406422 / 07983 996144 / [email protected] for an informal discussion
- Or please complete our Course Enquiry Formusing the link or the QR Code below:
Courses
Please visit theEnglish for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL)page for all the information you need.
Are you looking for that stepping stone towards an apprenticeship or further training? Our Employability course can help. We have qualifications and experience opportunities including:
- Confidence building
- Career planning
- Teamwork Skills
- Work Experience
- Time Management
- Job Seeking Skills
- Employment Rights
- ICT Skills
A work placement is provided for this full academic year course.
Courses designed for 16 – 18 year olds also includes opportunity to improve maths and English skills.
| Course Title | Venue | Day | Time | Dates |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Employability | L&S Bennet House | Various | 9am-12pm, or, 1pm-3pm, or, 9am - 3pm | Roll on/Roll off |
Are you aged 16-18 and interested in a career in Customer Service? Our Customer Service qualification will develop your skills and help you communicate professionally with customers.
- Deal with customer queries and requests
- Meet and greet visitors
- Understand personal performance and development
- Understand working in a business or retail environment
- Telephone communication skills
This course could lead onto a Level 2 Diploma.
A work placement is provided for this full academic year course.
Courses designed for 16 – 18 year olds also includes opportunity to improve maths and English skills.
| Course Title | Venue | Day | Time | Dates |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Customer Service and Retail | L&S Bennet House | Various | 9am-12pm, or, 1pm-3pm, or, 9am - 3pm | Roll on/Roll off |
This course helps with developing personal skills and strengths in order to move on to your chosen destination. Confidence building, team work and understanding the world of work all play a part on the Study Programme.
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.
In 2021-2022, 83% of our learners improved their personal development, including self-confidence and working with others during last year’s programme, and 95% moved on to a positive destination in employment or further education.
Courses designed for 16 – 18 year olds also includes opportunity to improve maths and English skills.
| Course Title | Venue | Day | Time | Dates |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Personal Development | L&S Bennet House | Various | 9am-12pm, or, 1pm-3pm, or, 9am - 3pm | Roll on/Roll off |
This course will give you the skills and knowledge you need to be able to continue onto an apprenticeship in motor vehicle maintenance.
As a Pre-Apprentice learner you will gain valuable motor vehicle knowledge on a range of vehicle systems, which will be essential when developing practical skills, working with modern tools and equipment in our fully equipped motor vehicle workshop.
Practical training and assessments will be conducted whilst working on the servicing and replacement of a range of light vehicle components from all vehicle systems, including engine, braking, suspension, steering, cooling and fuel systems. During the course you will also develop skills in communication, reading job cards, locating vehicle data and carrying out a variety of measurements. You will also develop valuable transferable skills, such as problem solving and working to deadlines.
Work experience is also an element of the course to put into practice the skills you have been taught. This will also further develop the practical and problem solving skills required for progression on to an apprenticeship, further education or employment.
| Course Title | Venue | Day | Time | Dates |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Motor Vehicle Diploma | L&S Bennet House & Work Placement | Various | 9am-12pm, or, 1pm-3pm, or, 9am - 3pm | Roll on/Roll off |
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, either face to face, in a call centre or working remotely.
As a Pre-Apprentice learner you will gain valuable Customer Service knowledge on a range of areas, including but not limited to: communication skills, reception services, customer sales, information processing, rights and responsibilities in the workplace and many more. These skills will be essential when developing customer facing roles, working with teams and as an individual in a variety of work places
During the course you will develop skills in maths, ICT and English. You will also develop valuable transferable skills, such as problem solving and working to deadlines.
Work experience is also an element of the course to put into practice the skills you have been taught. This will be planned around the area / business style you wish to progress into and will further develop the practical and problem solving skills required for progression on to an apprenticeship, further education or employment.
| Course Title | Venue | Day | Time | Dates |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Customer Service Diploma | L&S Bennet House & Work Placement | Various | 9am-12pm, or, 1pm-3pm, or, 9am - 3pm | Roll on/Roll off |
News and Case Studies
London Visit
Reece King
"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
"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.
