Adult Education courses are offered by colleges on their own premises and in a range of community venues. Course length varies from a ten week term or a full academic year. If that is too much of a commitment there are also half/full day workshops, often offered at the weekend, covering topics of interest throughout the year erg Christmas Cake Making
As I am writing at the start of September it is important to apply immediately as courses will be filling up, or may not at all run if undersubscribed! So long as there are places available you will be able to enrol , if not you can put your name down for the next run.
Why should I do a course?
Attending a course, improves general wellbeing, keeps the brain cells active and helps to meet people and avoid isolation as well as enabling you to :-
Learn a new skill e.g. Cake Decorating, Drawing and Painting, Horticulture
Develop an existing talent e.g. Dressmaking, Creative Writing, Floristry
Improve general health and fitness e.g. Men’s Fit Fix, Pilates
Improve qualifications to enhance job prospects job prospects e.g. Computers, Maths or English GCSE, RHS Level 2 Horticulture, Association of Accounting Technicians
Above all just do a course for pleasure and fun!!!
Each year as I compile this list, I notice the reduction in the variety of opportunities on offer to adults through colleges. Particularly noticeable, is the loss of performing arts and wellbeing courses (Singing, Drama, Mindfulness, Zumba), reduction in the range of Art courses as well as business related courses (Build Your Own Business /Money Management) My list only covers college courses in Stockport , so if your interests are not included, check out other college (details below) and the many private providers, community centres, sports clubs, social groups etc. also offering courses.
Stockport Courses September 2018
Art: 3D Sculpture, Appreciating Art, Art Workshops, Drawing & Painting, Life Drawing, Practical Painting & Drawing
Crafts: Baking (Beginners), Cake Decorating, Ceramics, Creative Stitches & Textile Art, Dressmaking, Floristry, Flower Arranging, Home Interior Design, Photography
English/Communication: Creative Writing, Literature, Enlightening Novels, English GCSE, English for Speakers of Other languages
Gardening & Horticulture: Practical Horticulture, RHS Certificate (Leve2, 3)
Health & Fitness: Counselling Concepts, Counselling Skills, Men’s Fit Fix, Pilates, Psychology & Society, Yoga
History: History Saxons Danes & Normans 800-1100
Information Technology: Computing Made Easy, Improving your IT Skills, Computers (Intermediate), Microsoft Office, Using Your I Pad, Photoshop
Languages: offered at a range of levels (depending on the subject) Beginners, Rusty, Intermediate, Conversation/Circle, Advanced in French, German, Greek Italian,
Number/ Finance: Maths GCSE Foundation& Higher Award), AAT (Association of Accounting Technicians),
NB This information is accurate at the time of writing, is not exhaustive and mainlyrelates to adult leisure courses.
There are also many other vocational and academic courses available specifically for adults.
Access courses are offered by the main colleges and provide an alternative to ‘A’ levels for mature students. The range of subjects covered in Stockport includes: Accounts & Finance, Business, Business & Digital Media & Technology, Education, Engineering, Health Professions, Health & Social Sciences, Human & Social Sciences, Human Biology, Law, Nursing & Midwifery, Science, Psychology, Sports Science,
Cost: It is highly likely that you will have to pay for your course, as colleges have to cover costs to survive. If you are on a low-income benefit, you may get a reduction or a free course but this depends on a range of criteria, so you need to check for each course and can’t assume any chosen course will automatically be free.
If paying for a course is a problem, or you are not able to attend college regularly check out the wide range of Free on Line Courses
Stockport Providers:
Aquinas College Nangreave Road, Stockport SK2 6TH Tel: 0161 419 9163
Cheadle & Marple Adult College Cheadle Rd, Cheadle Hulme, Cheshire SK8 5HA Tel: 0161 486 4602
Stockport Continuing Education Range of venues across the area Tel: 0161 474 5801
Workers Educational Association (WEA) Tel: 0161 485 3287
Open University Tel: Tel: 0300 303 5303Offers a range of short stand alone courses
Providers Surrounding Stockport:
Bolton College Tel: 01204 482 000
Bury College Tel: 0161 280 8280
Hopwood Hall College Rockdale Tel: 01706 345 346
Macclesfield College Tel: 01625 410 018
The Manchester College Tel: 03333 222 444
Manchester Adult Education (MAES)
Oldham College Tel: 0161 785 4000
Salford City College Tel: 0161 631 5000
Tameside College Tel: 0161 908 6600
Trafford College Tel: 0161 886 7070
The Willmslow Guild Tel: 01625 523 903
Further Afield:
Although this information relates to Stockport, there will be a similar range of courses in your area and the comments on early application/ cost of courses will still apply so check out your local colleges. You can get further information from:
National Careers Service Tel: 0800 100 900
f you are doing the course to improve your job prospects and need careers advice and guidance, checkout how we can help
For further information Contact Adrienne at Work & Beyond for professional, impartial information and advice and careers guidance
Need help? Make an Appointment with Work & Beyond