FREE Level 3 Courses for Adults – see what our learners have to say
Since April 2021, people aged 19+ have been able to access a number of Level 3 courses completely free of charge. Provided they live in the South West of England and do not already hold a Level 3 qualification, all associated examination fees have been removed for the students studying select evening classes.
This is due to the Prime Minister’s announcement that, as part of the Lifetime Skills Guarantee, £95 million of funding would be made available through the National Skills Fund from April 2021 to enable learners (aged 19+) to access their first full Level 3 qualification (equivalent to an A Level) for free. This fund provides access to qualifications that will help support people back into work, following the pandemic that has gripped our lives for the last 14 months.
We have also made our courses accessible to those outside of Weston by offering the option to study in Bristol at University of the West of England’s (UWE) Frenchay Campus.
Meet: Florin
Studying: Leadership and Management, Diploma
Location: UWE Bristol
Florin currently works full-time at a children’s hospital and has been studying the Level 3 Diploma in Leadership and Management in the evening, he commented:
“My workplace are looking for a supervisor. I knew I needed this course for that job and so when I saw it advertised on Facebook, I knew I needed to apply. I really want to develop and improve myself and make another step in my career.
Florin continued “The quality of teaching amazes me. They are very patient with you and treat you as an individual by explaining in a way to help you personally understand what you need to learn. I think it’s exceptional.”
For many, stepping back into education as an adult can be a daunting concept. Florin added:
“If you'd asked me at the start, I couldn’t do it, but now it's different. Sometimes you just need a push and when you take your first step and see what's here at UWE Bristol and what the Weston College teachers show you, you get more confident and that is a perfect combination.”
Meet: Szabina
Studying: Coding Practices
Location: UWE Bristol
Szabina has been working full-time for over 10 years and has been considering retraining for a while. She recalls:
“When I saw the advert saying this course was free, I thought I have nothing to lose – this is a great opportunity! I have no previous coding experience and I am hoping it will give me more insight into coding and the IT industry. As well as the fundamentals of coding, inc python, we have also learnt a lot about project management which will be useful.”
The courses is a mix of virtual and one face-to-face lesson each week at UWE Bristol.
Szabina adds “the teachers are amazing and very supportive, having the Weston College course here in Bristol makes it more accessible.”
“If you are thinking of retraining, I would recommend it, it’s been a great experience. Don’t be scared, have the courage, believe in yourself and give it a go – it’s free!”
Meet: Vernetta
Studying: Leadership and Management, Diploma
Location: UWE Bristol
Vernetta found out about the fully funded course via her sister who saw the opportunity on Instagram, Vernetta commented:
“It’s come exactly at the right time! I’m a mum for 2 small children, one is in school, and one is a baby, so I’m with them all day. It means in the evening when my partner is with them, I can get out and study, it’s a bit of me time as well.”
“I wanted to do the course because since I’ve had my son, I’ve been a stay-at-home mum. I wanted to do something to fill in the gap on my CV, so when it comes to looking for a new job, I’ve got something else to offer an employer.”
“On completion of the course I’d like to go even further, because it’s a Level 3 qualification it means I could go to university. Or as I’ve already got the experience as a manager, but I haven’t got the educational side of it, the qualification will compliment my experience. It’s a full circle now. I’ve closed that gap!”
Vernetta added about her experience so far:
“The quality of teaching has been really positive, they’re really understanding about us having lives outside of the course, all of the class are either working or running our own businesses or like me, have a family to look after, and they understand that. The teachers are accommodating to the fact, that we may need to have a bit more time and understanding, some of us haven’t studied in 10, 15, 20 years, they understand this and support us where we need it.”
Meet: Gail
Studying: Accounting, AAT Advance Diploma
Location: Weston-super-Mare
In 2019, just after Gail’s 50th birthday she suffered a Stroke and didn’t feel able to go back to her current role within Customer Services where she had worked for 30 plus years.
Gail told us: “I decided I wanted to work from home and I thought bookkeeping would be great for me. I’ve always been a number crunching type of person.”
“I have already completed the Level 2 course with a distinction, I enjoyed it so much I came back this year to complete the Level 3.”
Gail went on to tell us about her experience:
“I am in college one-day a week which is great, the course is well laid out each subject follows on well from the last in a methodical way. I thought it would be difficult coming back to college, but I soon got into the swing of things and got to know my fellow students.
“If you are considering retraining as an adult … Go for it, you are never too old and will get all the support you need”
Meet: Natalie
Studying: Adult Social Care Diploma
Location: Weston-super-Mare
Natalie has been working in the care industry since 2007 and is now specialising in mental health within the community.
Natalie commented: “I should gain a qualification in what I do, using the National Skills Fund (meaning it was free), in the hope of moving up a pay grade.”
She continues: “Anyone currently working in a care setting would be comfortable with the topics covered. We’ve worked on communication and looked in-depth at the safeguarding process. I’ve found this particularly interesting because working in the community we don’t necessarily know the full details of what happens once concerns are raised. The facilities here are really impressive, I’m particularly impressed with the simulation ward with noisy patients, it’s just like the real thing!
Natalie is enjoying her experience with us, she commented: “I’m enjoying expanding my knowledge, as a mature student (aged 50), I was a little concerned about going back into a learning environment, however my tutor has been magnificent! There’s been many changes in education since my CSE and O’Level days, but my Tutor has bought us up to speed, taught us the ‘new ways’ of completing assignments and the latest jargon.”
Natalie’s advice to anyone reading this is: “Just go for it, you’ve nothing to lose, the courses fit in comfortably with work and home life, there is no financial cost to you. It’s good to get the grey matter working again and sending out a positive message to my teenage family.”
Meet: Florin
Studying: Leadership and Management, Diploma
Location: UWE Bristol
Florin currently works full-time at a children’s hospital and has been studying the Level 3 Diploma in Leadership and Management in the evening, he commented:
“My workplace are looking for a supervisor. I knew I needed this course for that job and so when I saw it advertised on Facebook, I knew I needed to apply. I really want to develop and improve myself and make another step in my career.
Florin continued “The quality of teaching amazes me. They are very patient with you and treat you as an individual by explaining in a way to help you personally understand what you need to learn. I think it’s exceptional.”
For many, stepping back into education as an adult can be a daunting concept. Florin added:
“If you'd asked me at the start, I couldn’t do it, but now it's different. Sometimes you just need a push and when you take your first step and see what's here at UWE Bristol and what the Weston College teachers show you, you get more confident and that is a perfect combination.”
Meet: Szabina
Studying: Coding Practices
Location: UWE Bristol
Szabina has been working full-time for over 10 years and has been considering retraining for a while. She recalls:
“When I saw the advert saying this course was free, I thought I have nothing to lose – this is a great opportunity! I have no previous coding experience and I am hoping it will give me more insight into coding and the IT industry. As well as the fundamentals of coding, inc python, we have also learnt a lot about project management which will be useful.”
The courses is a mix of virtual and one face-to-face lesson each week at UWE Bristol.
Szabina adds “the teachers are amazing and very supportive, having the Weston College course here in Bristol makes it more accessible.”
“If you are thinking of retraining, I would recommend it, it’s been a great experience. Don’t be scared, have the courage, believe in yourself and give it a go – it’s free!”
Meet: Vernetta
Studying: Leadership and Management, Diploma
Location: UWE Bristol
Vernetta found out about the fully funded course via her sister who saw the opportunity on Instagram, Vernetta commented:
“It’s come exactly at the right time! I’m a mum for 2 small children, one is in school, and one is a baby, so I’m with them all day. It means in the evening when my partner is with them, I can get out and study, it’s a bit of me time as well.”
“I wanted to do the course because since I’ve had my son, I’ve been a stay-at-home mum. I wanted to do something to fill in the gap on my CV, so when it comes to looking for a new job, I’ve got something else to offer an employer.”
“On completion of the course I’d like to go even further, because it’s a Level 3 qualification it means I could go to university. Or as I’ve already got the experience as a manager, but I haven’t got the educational side of it, the qualification will compliment my experience. It’s a full circle now. I’ve closed that gap!”
Vernetta added about her experience so far:
“The quality of teaching has been really positive, they’re really understanding about us having lives outside of the course, all of the class are either working or running our own businesses or like me, have a family to look after, and they understand that. The teachers are accommodating to the fact, that we may need to have a bit more time and understanding, some of us haven’t studied in 10, 15, 20 years, they understand this and support us where we need it.”
Meet: Gail
Studying: Accounting, AAT Advance Diploma
Location: Weston-super-Mare
In 2019, just after Gail’s 50th birthday she suffered a Stroke and didn’t feel able to go back to her current role within Customer Services where she had worked for 30 plus years.
Gail told us: “I decided I wanted to work from home and I thought bookkeeping would be great for me. I’ve always been a number crunching type of person.”
“I have already completed the Level 2 course with a distinction, I enjoyed it so much I came back this year to complete the Level 3.”
Gail went on to tell us about her experience:
“I am in college one-day a week which is great, the course is well laid out each subject follows on well from the last in a methodical way. I thought it would be difficult coming back to college, but I soon got into the swing of things and got to know my fellow students.
“If you are considering retraining as an adult … Go for it, you are never too old and will get all the support you need”
Meet: Natalie
Studying: Adult Social Care Diploma
Location: Weston-super-Mare
Natalie has been working in the care industry since 2007 and is now specialising in mental health within the community.
Natalie commented: “I should gain a qualification in what I do, using the National Skills Fund (meaning it was free), in the hope of moving up a pay grade.”
She continues: “Anyone currently working in a care setting would be comfortable with the topics covered. We’ve worked on communication and looked in-depth at the safeguarding process. I’ve found this particularly interesting because working in the community we don’t necessarily know the full details of what happens once concerns are raised. The facilities here are really impressive, I’m particularly impressed with the simulation ward with noisy patients, it’s just like the real thing!
Natalie is enjoying her experience with us, she commented: “I’m enjoying expanding my knowledge, as a mature student (aged 50), I was a little concerned about going back into a learning environment, however my tutor has been magnificent! There’s been many changes in education since my CSE and O’Level days, but my Tutor has bought us up to speed, taught us the ‘new ways’ of completing assignments and the latest jargon.”
Natalie’s advice to anyone reading this is: “Just go for it, you’ve nothing to lose, the courses fit in comfortably with work and home life, there is no financial cost to you. It’s good to get the grey matter working again and sending out a positive message to my teenage family.”
