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essential skills. know how to get ahead.

Learning Essential Skills courses can be really life changing. For instance:

  • some adults have read a newspaper for the first time and actually understand what is happening in their community
  • others are able to fill in an application form and now have a job as a result
  • they can now read a note that their child has brought home from school instead of handing it to their partner to read and can help their child with its homework for the first time.
  • access to the internet and keeping in contact with friends by email has created new opportunities

Don't be put off by the thought of going on a course. Essential Skills classes are different. They are small, personal and enjoyable. You can learn at your own pace and they are free.

Why not take that first step to getting to Know How and improving your Essential Skills at home, work and in life?

10 things you didn't know about Essential Skills courses

  • Classes are FREE
  • Classes are informal and not like school
  • Some classes have free créche facilities
  • Classes are held at different times of the day
  • You can learn at your own pace.
  • You can learn in a small group
  • You can learn at a college, a local community centre or in work
  • You can learn using a computer
  • You can gain a qualification which employers recognise
  • You are never too old to learn!

Find an Essential Skills course

Essential Skills award winners 2011

Check out the full list of Essential Skills awards winners for 2011.