Groups
Short Courses
Our short courses provide the chance to combine literacy and numeracy learning with other skills, from cooking to crèche work. This can be a first step into learning with ABE or a chance to try something different and gain new skills.
Existing Courses
Newsletter Group
The Newsletter group runs over 6 weeks and looks at how an editorial panel works. Learners can be involved in writing articles, reading information and making sure that the information is clear and free from jargon and that the message contained in the information is easily understood and using IT. Within the course there is a chance to work towards an SQA Communication qualification and a Core Skill in Working with Others.
| Location | Dates |
|---|---|
| Blackburn Community Centre |
May 2010 |
Brain Training
Brain Training aims to improve your memory and increase your mental agility. By using new technology, in the shape of Nintendo DS, we explore with learners how their memory works, learn strategies to increase mental arithmetic skills and build upon existing knowledge and skills.
| Location | Dates |
|---|---|
| Fauldhouse Knightsridge Early Years Centre |
January 2009 August 2009 |
Cooking By Numbers
Cooking by Numbers runs over 6 weeks and looks at how numbers can be involved in cooking and healthy eating. Each session includes practical cooking tasks and also looks at weights and measures, reading food labels and finding out about a well balanced diet. Within the course there is a chance to work towards an SQA Numeracy qualification.
| Location | Dates |
|---|---|
| Stoneyburn Community Centre Mayfield Community House Strathbrock Partnership Centre Blackburn Family Centre Uphall Community Centre Whitburn Community Centre Carmondean Community Centre |
January 2009 April 2009 November 2009 January 2010 July 2010 September 2010 May 2010 |
Crèche
The Crèche Worker Course runs over 10 weeks (2 sessions per week) and on successful completion you will be awarded 2 points at level 5 on the Scottish Credit & Qualifications Framework (SCQF). During the course you will look at health and safety, legal requirements, child protection, first aid, practical play and storytelling.
| Location | Dates |
|---|---|
| West Calder Community Centre Winchburgh Community Centre Blackburn Community Centre Addiwell Whitburn Community Centre |
January 2009 April 2009 August 2009 January 2010 April 2010 |
Developing skills for Employment
Developing skills for Employment is a 12 week short course, being delivered to the West Lothian Council's Get Ready for Work learners. The learners are all gaining experience in childcare and are on placement within the Wrapround Service. They are supported by BLES Training. The course is designed to enable learners to enhance their employability and learning skills by providing them with the opportunity to assess their qualities and abilities and present these effectively to an employer with the help and guidance of a tutor. This course is suitable for candidates who have little or no previous employment experience. The course will support the learners improve the communication skills required to present themselves effectively to an employer or progress to Further Education. Throughout the course the learners will be able to match themselves to appropriate learning, employment opportunities and vocational areas.
| Location | Dates |
|---|---|
| BLES, Blackburn |
May - September 2010 |
DOSH
Dosh is a 4-week course to help you through the financial minefield of spending and saving. Areas covered include: debt, credit, income, managing a bank account, saving and borrowing, budgeting and Credit Unions. You will be able to open a Credit Union account when you start the course and get a £5 bonus in the account for each week attended.
| Location | Dates |
|---|---|
| Knightsridge Bathgate Early Years Centre Knightsridge Family Centre Whitdale Early Years Centre Blackburn Family Centre Addiewell Early Years Centre Craigsfarm, Livingston Stoneyburn Community Centre Inveralmond Early Years Centre Chill Out Zone Bathgate Whitdale Family Centre Fauldhouse Partnership Centre |
February 2009 April 2009 April 2009 May 2009 August 2009 October 2009 November 2009 January 2010 February 2010 May 2010 June 2010 September 2010 |
Driving Theory
If you are planning to sit your Driving Theory test, this course will give you the opportunity to learn about stopping distances, road signs, road markings, safety and some of the literacy involved in the test. You will get the chance to practise both hazard perception and theory questions using DSA approved software.
| Location | Dates |
|---|---|
| Whitburn Community Centre YWCA Lanthorn Community Centre, Livingston Adult Learning Centre, Bathgate |
January 2009 April 2009 December 2009 May 2010 |
Get Ready To Learn
'This course aims to give you the tools and strategies to enable you to be a confident learner. If you have not been in learning for a while or, indeed, if you feel you are not getting the most from your learning then this course could be what you are looking for. There will be an option to gain accreditation for the work you undertake'.
| Location | Dates |
|---|---|
| Deans Inveralmond |
September 2009 September 2009 |
Introduction to Out and About
An introductory course for disabled people who want to work on their reading,writing and numbers to support self travel.
| Location | Dates |
|---|---|
| Bloom House, Livingston Village |
November 2009 |
Measuring Up
Fun practise of everyday measuring skills including telling the time, travel, money and weights/measures
| Location | Dates |
|---|---|
| Ability Centre, Livingston |
May 2009 |
Preparation for Employment
Preparation for employment, is a 6 / 7 week short course, currently being delivered to SIBBALD Training Providers, Blackridge, West Lothian. The course is designed to enable learners to enhance employability skills by providing them with the opportunity to assess their qualities and abilities and present these effectively to an employer with the help and guidance of a tutor. This course is suitable for candidates who have little or no previous employment experience and are at an early stage in the development of the skills required to present themselves effectively to an employer. Learners will learn about the qualities and abilities required in employment generally and in specific vocational areas. This knowledge should enable learners to match themselves to appropriate employment opportunities and vocational areas. The ability of candidates to present themselves to employers will be enhanced through the writing of job application letters, completing job application forms, and participating in mock employment interviews. Accreditation can be achieved on completion of this course for those who wish to do so.
| Location | Dates |
|---|---|
| Sibbald's, Blackridge |
April - June 2010 |
Retail Academy
Delivered in partnership with West Lothian College, this course gives students an insight to the skills and knowledge needed to work in the retail industry. Students will have an opportunity to look at health & safety, customer service, communication skills and investigate the different roles in retail.
| Location | Dates |
|---|---|
Save Xmas
One off session on the subject of saving.The aim of the session is to help you understand your options when saving for Christmas, or saving in general. You will be informed about the different saving options that exist out there, as well as the pros and cons of each of them. If you want to learn how to make the right decision when it comes to saving, consider your own preferences and attitudes to risk, or simply find out more, then come along.
| Location | Dates |
|---|---|
| Adult Learning Centre, Bathgate |
March 2010 |
Savvy
This is a 10 week course aimed at young people between 16-24 which aims to give students the opportunity to use an Apple Ibook to produce their own lyrics, to produce a story-board and create a comic or animation using multi-media software.
| Location | Dates |
|---|---|
Return to top