People living in Loftus and the surrounding areas are being offered a fantastic new learning opportunity as two new short part-time courses are launched in the town.

The new courses, which are free subject to eligibility, aim to help local people gain new qualifications and improve job and career prospects, without having to travel into college.

The courses on offer are Caring for Children CACHE Award and Diploma Level 1 and Training and Skills for Work Award and Certificate Levels 1 and 2, are being delivered by Redcar & Cleveland College at the Centre of Opportunity (the old Co-op building) on the High Street in Loftus.

The Caring for Children course is aimed at learners who would like a career in childcare, or would like to know more about caring for young children in the home.

Studying for one day a week over the course of eight weeks, learners who complete the course may wish to go onto study the Diploma in Caring for Children, or into employment.

The Training and Skills for Work course gives learners the chance to improve their employment opportunities by helping with maths and English abilities, as well as building personal skills and preparing students for job interviews. It will also enable learners to develop skills in a variety of vocational areas, including construction skills, IT and health.  

Studying for three days a week over 14 weeks, learners can progress onto the next level qualification in the same vocational area, an Apprenticeship programme or into employment.

Tony Gatehouse, Centre Manager at the Old Co-op Building, said: “This is a great chance for people here in Loftus and the surrounding area to improve their job and career prospects by studying for qualifications. Our building is all about providing important opportunities for local people and I’m looking forward to these new courses starting.”

Redcar & Cleveland College Principal Gary Groom said: “By offering these courses in the Loftus community we are giving people a chance to broaden their horizons, as well as trying out something new, without leaving their doorstep.”

Courses start on the week commencing 20^th February, but there are opportunities for people to join in the weeks following. The courses are free, subject to eligibility, and no entry requirements are needed.

For more information on courses call Student Services at Redcar & Cleveland College on 01642 473132 or contact Tony Gatehouse at the Centre of Opportunity on 01287 643019.