Hundreds benefiting from Wiltshire adult learning courses
The Family and Community Learning Course help people take the next steps in their lives
Over 600 people in Wiltshire have learnt new skills and knowledge to move their lives forward in the last 12 months.
It's thanks to the Family and Community Learning (FACL), which is part of the council's Target Education Service.
Offering a variety of courses, it serves as a community education programme for adults, allowing them to gain new skills for independent living, helping their children or work skills.
A report detailing the impact of the service found 99% of the 605 people who signed up to a course in 2024 passed the course, with 80% going on to study further or move into working environments.
The report also found 93% of students gained confidence from their course, with 84% making positive healthy lifestyle changes.
Maria Barandalla-Fernandez received the Into Work award at a recent FACL awards ceremony.
She said the course she took had allowed her to find a job she could balance with her family's needs.
"It has been challenging for me to go back into work trying to balance my family needs but I am really grateful for receiving the support from FACL," she said.
"All the team, from admins to tutors, have been very supportive and encouraging in achieving my objective. I recommend anyone that needs to refresh skills or need to feel more confident to enrol on these courses. I am now enjoying my job at a school and I can only say thank you for what you do."
Cllr Laura Mayes, Cabinet Member for Children's Services, said: "Family and Community Learning provides opportunities for support and development for people for whom formal learning may have previously been a barrier in the past. The courses work to help people gain confidence and realise potential. Gaining knowledge and new skills can open doors and opportunities and it can also help with health and wellbeing and confidence. This report shows the wonderful impact of FACL for Wiltshire residents and I look forward to hearing more positive stories in the future."
FACL receives Adult Skills Fund through a contract with the ESFA for Tailored Learning. The funding is used to deliver high-quality courses to engage individuals of different ages and backgrounds to gain new skills, reconnect with learning, learn how to support their children and better prepare them for progression to further learning, employment or volunteering.
More information about courses can be found here.