Skills for Independence, Life & Work
Our skills for independence, life & work courses provide further education opportunities to students with learning difficulties and/or disabilities. For those who have a desire to enter the world of work, the department also offers supported internships and preparation for supported employment, providing you with the tools needed to boost your employability skills.
Other adult courses aim to develop and enhance skills and knowledge required for the working environment, as well as increasing your confidence and developing your communication skills. The courses will help you to progress into employment, develop you in your current role or help you to change your career path.
Trips and visits
Trips to leisure attractions are part of the personal & development course. Previous students have visited the zoo, bowling, theme parks, taken part in organised walks, crazy golf and even attended outdoor activity centres.
Industry links
Our personal & social development and foundation learning adult students are proud to run the Novel Bite Café in Winsford Library, which provides them with fantastic practical experience and helps them develop a range of key life skills.
We have connections with many employers across Warrington, and previous students have completed placements and internships at organisations such as Amazon, Warrington Borough Council, IKEA, and Warrington Market.
I am
16-18 Years Old
Are you looking to start college, become more independent and prepare to enter the world of work? Our skills for learning, life and work courses are the perfect stepping stone. Gain confidence, independence, communication, and social skills with one of our personal & social development courses or boost your employability and career skills with our employability skills courses.
Entry 2 Skills for Independence
Full Time
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Entry 3 Personal & Social Development
Full Time
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Level 1 Personal & Social Development
Full Time
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Preparation for Supported Employment
Full Time
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Supported Internship
Full Time
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Supported Internship - Warrington Hospital
Full Time
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I am an
Adult Learner
Ideal for adults who are seeking to boost their employability skills, enhance their CV or learn how to effectively manage their money, these courses will help you achieve your career goals. If you have been out of employment for a while, would like to live more independently, or make a career change, the courses will provide you with the skills and confidence you need to progress.
Our ACE course may be suitable for adults who are looking to gain the skills and knowledge they need to progress onto further study, employment or voluntary work. Perhaps you are looking to boost your confidence before entering the workplace or need some extra time before starting a new course.
Employability Skills (ACE)
Full Time
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Introduction to Confidence Building for Employability
Part Time
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Lifeskills Café: Cooking and Communication for Enhanced Indpendence (ACE)
Full Time
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Serve up Success: Employability and Confidence Course at Novel Bite Cafe
Part Time
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Meet our students
The college is a great place to learn and the tutors are really helpful.”
Personal & Social Development student Dillon Hillary is really enjoying his course and feels he is learning some valuable skills for the future. Dillon is studying IT as part of his course, and really enjoys learning about computers. He is passionate about IT as well as music production, which he does in his spare time. Selected from hundreds of applicants nationwide, Dillon will be collaborating with 12 other young people on the UK's first ever Further Education (FE) Youth Collective.
Meet our tutors
Sara Shaw
Sara Shaw has worked at Warrington & Vale Royal College coming from a hospitality background.
Sara loves delivering the theory in the classroom and seeing it put into practice in the workplace and particularly in our Novel Bite Cafe.
She says “It's wonderful to see the learners engage with members of the community when they're part of running events. They're engaged with promoting the cafe through our social media platforms, and enjoy showing of their achievements and skills.
It's a very rewarding role, I love it!”
Rick Cayzer
Rick Cayzer, Curriculum Manager for Distance Learning & Employability has been teaching at the college for over 20 years.
Rick, who loves the diversity of his role, really enjoys providing learning opportunities to students to enhance their skills and knowledge.
He works with curriculum teams across college to develop distance learning and employability packages, in response to the increasing demand from students and employers to provide flexible, 24/7 study options.
Explore our facilities
Novel Bite Cafe
The Novel Bite Café at Winsford Library is a fantastic facility where students can learn to produce and serve a range of hot and cold meals and snacks. Working in this real-life café will also build up your skills in customer service, teamwork and communication.
