Numbers enrolling on Essential Skills courses at Belfast Met are exceeding all expectations, it was claimed today.
Last year close to 4,000 people enrolled on the free courses and now, only half way through the academic year, the college has matched that number.
The Met hopes even more people will sign up to English, Maths and Information Communication Technology (ICT) qualifications at a location, level and time to suits their personal circumstances.
Highlighting the positive benefits that Essential Skills qualifications bring Nicola Bell, curriculum area manager, Essential Skills at Belfast Metropolitan College said: “Learners who participate in Essential Skills classes at Belfast Met benefit in many ways; previous Essential Skills learners feel that they have improved their job prospects by completing numeracy, literacy or ICT qualifications, experienced a real sense of achievement and with that an increased self-esteem ,with many reporting a new confidence to help their children with their homework.
“For many people Essential Skills are the ideal way to ease their way back into learning and take the first step back onto the qualification ladder for career improvement.
“There has never been a better time to start an Essential Skills Course in Maths, English or ICT and I would encourage anyone considering Essential Skills to get in contact with their local College as there are free classes available at a time and location to suit.”
Free English, Maths and ICT classes are available from entry level through to Level 2 and are delivered at Belfast Met’s main sites and in 32 community venues across the city. A flexible approach to learning means that courses are offered at a time to suit with a range of fast track, day, evening and twilight classes available.
The college is currently working with employers, including Royal Mail and Belfast Health and Social Care Trust, delivering Essential Skills courses to employees in the workplace who didn’t have the opportunity to study computers but find that computer work is becoming an essential part of their job. Essential Skills ICT classes teach the basics and offer learners the opportunity to build confidence whilst gaining a recognised qualification.
For further information or to enrol on an Essential Skills course at Belfast Metropolitan College contact 028 9053 3162.