Activate Learning is offering four new Skills Bootcamps in Surrey designed to help adults gain practical, industry-relevant skills and take their next step into employment or a new career.
The flexible, government-funded programmes provide intensive training focused on areas where employers need skilled people, giving adults an opportunity to retrain, upskill or explore a completely new career path.
Activate Learning is currently offering Skills Bootcamps across four key areas: teaching in Further Education (FE), landscape construction, supporting learners with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), and SEND in FE.
Skills Bootcamps are flexible courses lasting up to 16 weeks, designed to equip people with sector-specific skills and provide a route towards an interview with an employer.
From industry into the classroom
The Skills Bootcamp in Trade to Ready to Teach in Further Education is designed for experienced tradespeople and vocational professionals who are interested in bringing their industry expertise into education.
The practical programme helps participants develop the skills, knowledge and confidence they need to consider a career teaching the next generation of skilled professionals in Further Education.
For people who have built up years of valuable industry experience, teaching can provide an opportunity to use that knowledge in a completely different way, while helping colleges respond to the need for teachers with current, real-world vocational expertise.
Building careers in landscape construction
For those interested in working outdoors, Activate Learning’s Skills Bootcamp: Introduction to Landscape Construction provides an intensive two-week programme focused on developing practical skills for the landscaping sector.
Participants can build hands-on skills, industry knowledge and recognised certifications designed to support them to start or progress a career in landscaping, grounds maintenance or construction.
The programme provides a practical route into industries where technical ability and workplace-ready skills are particularly important, helping participants develop experience they can take directly into employment.
Supporting learners with SEND
The Skills Bootcamp: Teaching Assistant – Supporting SEND has been developed for people interested in beginning or progressing a career as a Teaching Assistant, with a particular focus on supporting learners with SEND.
Participants develop practical knowledge and confidence for working within education, including understanding how Teaching Assistants can effectively support learners with additional needs.
The programme provides a potential pathway into a rewarding career supporting children and young people, while helping develop the skilled education workforce needed by schools and other settings.
SEND in Further Education
The SEND in Further Education Skills Bootcamp is designed for practitioners working in Further Education or adult learning who want to develop their skills and confidence in supporting learners with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND).
Over 10 weeks, participants explore practical approaches to identifying and removing barriers to learning, adapting teaching and assessment, using assistive technology and creating more inclusive learning environments. The programme also covers areas including SEND legislation, adaptive teaching, Universal Design for Learning, supporting specific SEND needs, positive behaviour and wellbeing, and collaborative working.
Combining face-to-face workshops, online masterclasses, individual coaching and workplace-based activities, the Bootcamp enables participants to apply their learning directly within their own professional setting. Participants also complete a workplace improvement project, helping them put inclusive approaches into practice and demonstrate their impact on learners.
The programme can support progression into enhanced SEND responsibilities, curriculum development, specialist learner support roles or the leadership of inclusion initiatives within Further Education.
Paul Newman, Chief Learning Officer for Curriculum and Executive lead for Surrey at Activate Learning, said: “Skills Bootcamps are about giving people a practical and accessible way to develop skills that can lead to real opportunities.
“Whether someone has spent years working in a trade and is considering sharing their expertise in a college, wants to build a career supporting learners with SEND, or is interested in developing practical skills for the landscaping industry, these programmes provide an opportunity to take that first step.
“Importantly, they are designed around the skills that employers and industries need. By working closely with our communities and employers, we can help people build their confidence and skills while supporting the workforce needs of our local economy.”
Skills Bootcamps form part of the Government’s wider skills programme and are designed to help adults develop in-demand skills, explore new career opportunities and retrain for different sectors.
Activate Learning has extensive experience delivering Skills Bootcamps across a range of industries. Previous programmes have included sustainability, cycle maintenance, land-based leadership, domestic retrofit and electric vehicle skills.
Learn more about the latest Skills Bootcamps on the Activate Learning Adult Education website.