Routes into work

Most people come to us with a reason rather than a subject. Start with whichever of these sounds most like you, and we will tell you honestly what the next step involves and how long it takes.

Where are you starting from?

Every course on this page is free if you live in Tees Valley and earn under £33,210.

An adult supporting learners during a classroom activity
Start here

I want to get into work

Six pathways that combine qualifications, a work placement and English and maths into a route towards a particular kind of job.

See the six pathways
A care worker and an older woman sitting together in a bright kitchen
Start here

I want to get back into learning

Short 6 to 8 week courses with no exam and no qualification, run in community venues. A gentle way back in if you have been out of education for a while.

See the short courses
Early years practitioners working with young children in a nursery room
Start here

I want to help my child

Courses on how children learn, what to do about social media, and how to support a child with additional needs, from short courses through to a qualification in early years.

See how to start
A cafe owner standing in her small independent shop
Start here

My employer sent me

We build training around what an employer actually needs, combining qualifications with the checks and short courses that go alongside them.

See employer training

Pathways towards a job

A pathway combines several qualifications, a work placement and English and maths into a route towards a particular kind of job. You do not have to take all of it.

An adult supporting learners during a classroom activity
Pathway

Learning support and teaching assistant

Work alongside teachers to help children and young people learn. This pathway takes you from a first qualification through to a level 3 diploma, with English and maths available alongside if you need them.

See this pathway
A care worker and an older woman sitting together in a bright kitchen
Pathway

Adult social care and counselling

Build the knowledge you need to work in care, mental health support or counselling. Start at level 1 and progress to a level 3 diploma, with English and maths available alongside.

See this pathway
Early years practitioners working with young children in a nursery room
Pathway

Child and early years care

Understand how children develop and how to support them, including children with additional needs and children affected by difficult early experiences.

See this pathway
A cafe owner standing in her small independent shop
Pathway

Creating a business

Turn an idea into a business plan, then build the wider skills that a small business owner needs, from leading a team to keeping your data secure.

See this pathway
A waiter carrying plated food through a busy restaurant
Pathway

Customer service and hospitality

Learn what excellent customer service looks like in hospitality, and how to step up into a supervisory role.

See this pathway
Ground support vehicles beside an aircraft on the tarmac
Pathway

Aviation and travel

A full level 2 diploma built with Swissport, covering the safety, security and customer service knowledge that airport ground roles depend on.

See this pathway

Short courses to get you started

Run in community hubs local to you, and at both colleges.

Short courses to get you back into learning, with no exam and no qualification at the end. Each one runs for 6 to 8 weeks, around 12 hours in total, in a community hub local to you or at one of our colleges. They are free, and they are designed for people who have been out of education for a while.

Building confidence

Health and wellbeing

Eating well for less

6 to 8 weeks, around 12 hours in total

Preparation for further learning

Arts and craft

How to be creative in your spare time

6 to 8 weeks, around 12 hours in total

Preparation for further learning

Addictive behaviours: what I need to know

Substance abuse and how it affects me and others

6 to 8 weeks, around 12 hours in total

Supporting your child's learning

Truth and myths about social media

Social media unlocked

6 to 8 weeks, around 12 hours in total

Building confidence

Essential DIY skills

The basics of DIY

6 to 8 weeks, around 12 hours in total

Preparation for further learning

Digital enterprise and managing money

How to advertise and sell well

6 to 8 weeks, around 12 hours in total

Building confidence

Self esteem and me

How to be who I want to be

6 to 8 weeks, around 12 hours in total

Supporting your child's learning

Supporting children to learn well

How to be your child's learning buddy

6 to 8 weeks, around 12 hours in total

Building confidence

Holiday basics: Spanish, Italian and French for beginners

How to prepare for a holiday

6 to 8 weeks, around 12 hours in total

Building confidence

First aid: the basics

How to be the first aid responder

6 to 8 weeks, around 12 hours in total

How the short courses work

There is no exam, no qualification and no cost. They run in community venues across Redcar and Cleveland and Stockton-on-Tees, in a small group, at a pace that suits people who have not been in a classroom for a while. Most people who finish one go on to something else, and we will talk you through what that could be.

We can also help with the practical barriers. Bus and taxi fares can be covered with evidence, and registered childcare costs may be available for learners aged 20 and over. See funding and financial support.

Not sure which of these is you?

Tell us where you are now and what you want to do. We will map out a route and tell you honestly what it involves.

Apply now

01287 280800 | adultlearning@atomix.ac.uk