A learner guide to Wirral Lifelong Learning

Wirral Lifelong Learning can help you improve your skills, qualification and prospects.

are you thinking about starting a course?
are you thinking about a new job or becoming a volunteer?
do you need to improve your qualifications?
not sure what to do next?

When, who and what's in it for you?

When and who to talk to	What will we be able to tell you or help you with?	Benefits to you
At the start: Administration Team Teaching and Learner Support Staff Manager	Basic Level of information: Current WLLS timetable, know ‘What’s on’ Know about the courses, find our web pages and information on social media Initial and interim signposting to correct course and possible progression routes Knowledge of internal and external progression options - Progression Pathways docs eg local employers, networks, community groups, youth groups, church groups, other providers eg 3L’s, Wirral Multicultural Centre, partners, What’s Next events Volunteering options Employment clubs	You know you are on the right course at the start and are more likely to stay and succeed. If you are not on the right course you will be redirected. You can start to think about what this course might lead to.
On your course: Teaching Staff	Wirral Lifelong Learning Service Information and Initial Advice: Tutors get to know your aspirations and ambitions. These are recorded on your Personal Learning Record (PLR) and reviewed and discussed regularly. Individual discussions about progression through icebreakers, speaking and listening exercises, plenary activities Use Progression Pathways to decide your next step options Review and discuss PLR objectives Make links to employment/volunteering options Information about the use of libraries, websites and local papers for progression options Information about National Careers Service and other courses Share ideas for progression amongst peers Meet guest speakers or colleagues who will talk to you and your class about progression options Meet National Careers Service staff during your course to discuss your options for progression	Opportunities to discuss progression opportunities throughout your course. Progression pathways show internal next steps choices with us and our partners. Explore your options whilst still on your course. Ask for specialist advice and guidance.
On your course: National Careers Service (NCS) Information Advice and Guidance (IAG) staff	Professional Advice and Guidance Service: NCS leaflets explain the offer NCS Website NCS Guidance worker can speak to you and your class They offer 1:1 guidance and support in depth careers guidance	Specialist guidance to help you decide what’s next for you. It’s free and you can use it anytime whether you are on a course or not.

When and who to talk to

What will we be able to tell you or help you with?

Benefits to you

At the start:

Administration Team

Teaching and Learner Support Staff Manager

Basic Level of information:

Current WLLS timetable, know ‘What’s on’
Know about the courses, find our web pages and information on social media
Initial and interim signposting to correct course and possible progression routes
Knowledge of internal and external progression options - Progression Pathways docs eg local employers, networks, community groups, youth groups, church groups, other providers eg 3L’s, Wirral Multicultural Centre, partners, What’s Next events
Volunteering options
Employment clubs

You know you are on the right course at the start and are more likely to stay and succeed.

If you are not on the right course you will be redirected.

You can start to think about what this course might lead to.

On your course:

Teaching Staff

Wirral Lifelong Learning Service Information and Initial Advice:

Tutors get to know your aspirations and ambitions. These are recorded on your Personal Learning Record (PLR) and reviewed and discussed regularly.
Individual discussions about progression through icebreakers, speaking and listening exercises, plenary activities
Use Progression Pathways to decide your next step options
Review and discuss PLR objectives
Make links to employment/volunteering options
Information about the use of libraries, websites and local papers for progression options
Information about National Careers Service and other courses
Share ideas for progression amongst peers
Meet guest speakers or colleagues who will talk to you and your class about progression options
Meet National Careers Service staff during your course to discuss your options for progression

Opportunities to discuss progression opportunities throughout your course.

Progression pathways show internal next steps choices with us and our partners.

Explore your options whilst still on your course.

Ask for specialist advice and guidance.

On your course:

National Careers Service (NCS)

Information Advice and Guidance (IAG) staff

Professional Advice and Guidance Service:

NCS leaflets explain the offer
NCS Website
NCS Guidance worker can speak to you and your class
They offer 1:1 guidance and support in depth careers guidance

Specialist guidance to help you decide what’s next for you.

It’s free and you can use it anytime whether you are on a course or not.

Which course is right for me?

If you are not sure which course is right for you, you can choose a pathway which will give a clear learning outcome to aim for and show you what courses we offer to get you there. You can speak to a member of staff if you have any questions:

These are the pathways:

Digital
Employability
English
ESOL
Family Learning
Floristry
Food
Gardening
Maths
Mental Health
Sewing
Sustainability
Volunteering

What can I expect when I join a course?

great teaching from our professional, qualified tutors
friendly, safe and engaging classes
to be treated with respect and fairness
support and guidance in reaching your goals
to learn new things and add to your life skills
information and advice to guide you through Regular feedback and assessments so you know how well you’re doing and how to improve
opportunities to gain a qualification (in some, not all subjects)
information and help with choosing what to do next
good links to work, volunteering and further learning
promotion of democracy, respect and tolerance, the law and liberty
clean and safe classrooms. We will adapt our classes to meet any changes and keep learners and staff safe

Which awarding bodies do we use?

Our exam and accreditation partners are Ascentis, Open Awards and The Royal Society of Public Health.

All the qualifications we offer are nationally recognised.

View Wirral Lifelong Learning's IAG accreditation certificate

The PDF file above may not be suitable to view for people with disabilities, users of assistive technology or mobile phone devices.

Is learner support available?

If you have a disability or learning support need, it helps us to know before you start your course so we can discuss any arrangements you may need. You will also be asked about disability when you complete an enrolment form. You can choose whether or not you wish to tell us about a disability.

Will I have an opportunity to voice my opinion about the courses and my learning?

Yes. We highly value all learner opinions and experience and ask learners to complete a feedback sheet at the end of your course. If we do a support visit with your tutor we will ask your group for your opinions. Your opinions are key to improving the experience for learners.

We always welcome additional feedback that we can use in case studies or promotions. If you have a story that can show the impact our courses have had on you or your family please let us know. Your story could inspire and motivate someone else to start learning.

Help us tell your story to them. We will always ask your permission before we use a photograph of you.

How do you celebrate and acknowledge my achievement and success?

It is important for us to celebrate the successes of our adult learners, through qualification and awards events, sharing case studies and learner comments in our marketing and on social media. Learners doing a qualification will receive a certificate from the appropriate awarding body.

I don’t have a digital device to complete my course work. Do you offer help?

We have a laptop loan scheme for learners who need a laptop to do their course work at home, or if you need to access online learning to continue with a class.

Contact us

Please contact us by emailing lifelonglearning@wirral.gov.uk or calling 0151 666 3330 to get a paper or electronic copy.

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