The 成人B站 has launched a package of short courses aimed at those wanting to work in the education, early years and children鈥檚 services sector.
The short courses are offered as part of the and the government’s pilot of the which is a new student finance product.
Head of the 成人B站’s School of Education, Catriona Robinson, said: “We believe this exciting new policy direction will help to address the skills gap through a flexible blended offer as part of the ‘levelling up’ agenda. It has the potential to widen access and participation amongst mature learners, support career changers and upskill the existing workforce.”
The courses have all been designed with employers to ensure that they provide the knowledge and skills needed in the sector where an increasing demand for a specialism has been identified. The courses therefore focus on supporting children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), supporting the mental health and wellbeing of children and young people and supporting children’s learning. Courses include Autism and Complex Needs, Inclusive Approaches to Supporting Learners with SEND, the Psychology of Teaching and Learning, Coaching and Mentoring, Supporting Communication, Speech and Language in the Early Years, and Mental Health and Wellbeing of Children and Young People.
The University’s School of Education is collaborating with The Learning Institute in Cornwall, which delivers several qualifications accredited by the University, to provide the courses. The aim is to reach rural and coastal locations to upskill mature and non-traditional learners, who make up the majority of children’s and young people’s workforce, or those looking to change careers.
Ms Robinson added: “Workforce instability amongst educational professionals, support staff and children’s services has been exacerbated by the pandemic, along with increased demand to find multi-agency solutions to address the skills gap locally and nationally.”
The courses at Worcester will be taught largely online in the evenings with one full day in-person teaching at the beginning on a Saturday. Student loans are available to those living in England to cover tuition fees, even if they have had a student loan in the past.
To find our more and to view the full list of courses available visit /courses/education-short-courses