Flexible Online Learning

Our flexible learning courses are a new way for you to learn online. Choose from a wide range of subjects and improve your employability skills or develop your personal skills and professional knowledge.

This flexible learning method is personally tailored to support you to work on your individual skills gaps, using a combination of online learning and tutorials, with a fully qualified tutor need further explanation. You will complete an online workbook, submit short assignments and get feedback from your tutor as you progress.

Flexible Learning is perfect if you can’t commit to a class every week but like the idea of having a personal tutor to support your online studies. They will run on a rolling programme over 12 weeks. Start your course when you are ready and work at your pace but be ready to commit to completing the work within 12 weeks. There will be a charge of £100 for those who don’t complete their course to cover learning materials and registration.

You don’t need any previous qualifications to join the course but we will ask you to complete a short English and maths assessment before the course starts. This is so we can be sure that the course is at the right level for you and we can support you to achieve your qualification. If you would like further information on maths and English courses with Buckinghamshire Adult Learning please see the information on our website where you can register to receive further information and advice: https://www.adultlearningbc.ac.uk/english-maths-digital/

You will complete an online workbook which includes short assignments that you must submit to your tutor every two weeks.  Your tutor will mark your work and give feedback online so that you know how much progress you are making.

These courses are fully funded for adults 19 years or over who meet UK residency requirements.

To sign up, or to find out more about Flexible Online Learning, please contact: Teresa Meredith on teresa.meredith@buckinghamshire.gov.uk or Christine Frost on christine.frost@buckinghamshire.gov.uk and we will contact you with further information about the programme

It is estimated that 11.3 million adults in the UK do not have basic digital skills. Latest figures predict that within the next 20 years, 90% of all jobs will need some form of digital knowledge. This qualification enhances your competency in digital literacy skills, supporting you within your current job role or giving the opportunity for progression into a role where digital skills are required.

On this course you will:

• Understand how to protect devices and data
• Communicate socially and professionally using technology
• Apply digital skills in personal and business situations
• Use digital resources to facilitate their own career progression

There were an estimated 5.5 million private sector businesses in the UK at the start of 2016. Despite the recent economic difficulties, the trend has been steadily increasing in the business population. Today’s global economy brings with it a wealth of new markets, shrinking profit margins and increasing operating expenses; the need for good business administration has never been greater.

On this course you will:

• Develop understanding of basic administration concepts and practices
• Review essential knowledge for daily and more complex administration tasks
• Learn business and administration national occupational standards

In order to have a truly successful business, you need to provide good customer service. It is believed that 96% of unhappy customers don’t ever complain; however, 91% of those simply leave and never come back. The main reason for customer churn is not price but bad customer service. Handling a business’s issues in a professional and courteous manner is an essential day-to-day task.

On this course you will:

• Learn to deliver excellent customer service
• Increase awareness of understanding and meeting customers’ needs
• Giving a great customer experience
• Learn from feedback and promote products and services

The warehousing and storage of goods is an essential part of logistics operations within a business. Roles within this industry require great skill and organisation to coordinate the demand and supply of goods and ultimately meet customer needs. This course is designed to help learners understand how to process orders for dispatch and understand the purpose of a stock check.

On this course you will learn:

• Understand the warehousing and storage industry
• Understand the functions and benefits of warehousing
• Understand how to store goods
• The purpose of a stock check

The need for adult social care continues to rise at a time when the system supporting that care is rapidly and significantly changing. With around 1.5 million people working in adult social care in England, care workers need up-to-date support and guidance to provide adequate person-centred care.

On this course you will learn:

• Introduction to the adult social care sector
• Values and principles of adult social care
• Skills and attitudes needed to work in adult social care
• Communication in adult social care
• Roles and responsibilities of the adult social care worker

The need for adult social care continues to rise at a time when the system supporting that care is rapidly and significantly changing. With around 1.5 million people working in adult social care in England, care workers need up-to-date support and guidance in order to provide adequate person-centred care.

This course will

• Provide evidence of staff competency to external stakeholders
• Give employees a high standard of learning to support their roles
• Provide assurances that employees are well trained
• Relevant to a wide variety of people and care settings
• Reduce the risk of malpractice and negligence

Mental health presents one of the greatest challenges to our society. With an estimated 450 million people worldwide suffering from a mental health problem, around a quarter of British adults will experience some form of mental health problem within the course of a year. While many elements of mental health are still not understood, having a good knowledge of the information that is available is essential in the care sector.

On this course you will:

• Develop understanding and appreciation of mental health conditions
• Learn about signs, triggers and symptoms of mental health
• Understand how mental health affects an individual’s ability to cope and function
• Examine guidance to potentially manage and support them with their illness

Autism is a spectrum condition that affects how a person communicates with others and how they interpret the world around them. There are around 700,000 people in the UK with autism – more than 1 in every 100. Having a clear understanding of the misconceptions, diagnoses and support surrounding autism are just some of the essential skills needed when working in mental health.

On this course you will:

• Learn how individuals with autism process sensory information
• Understand the characteristics that may be present in individuals with autism
• Understand the conditions that commonly occur with autism
• Learn the common misconceptions surrounding autism
• Learn how speech, language and communication may differ in people with autism
• Recognise how legislation and guidance underpins support

Over half a million businesses are started every year; however, 30% of these fail within the first two years. Having a better understanding of the initial processes and requirements of a business start-up can increase the chances of your business succeeding. If you’re looking to start your own business, or already have a business but want to develop and progress your business plan, this qualification will support you with the skills and knowledge you need.

On this course you will learn:

• Initial steps for a business start-up
• Marketing for a business start-up
• Legal and financial considerations when starting a business
• How to develop a business plan

Learning key skills for the working environment is vital for improving confidence and communication skills to prepare for employment or a change in employment. This course will teach you the skills that are necessary for any working environment.

On this course you will:

• Develop and enhance skills required for the working environment
• Develop learners’ confidence for employment and motivation
• Improve communication skills and personal effectiveness
• Provide a basis for further study