Guide to adult education and courses in Bristol 2022

From social care to cyber security, green tech to gardening, there is a wealth of opportunities for people seeking to retrain or upskill.

Whether you’re looking to step up in your current career, seeking to enter the jobs market or want a complete change, universities, organisations and businesses across Bristol provide a wide range of flexible courses.

This isn’t about those infamous government adverts suggesting anyone in the creative sector consider a move to cyber security but about helping people who would like to upskill or retrain navigate through the different options available.

Against a backdrop of an ever-changing employment market, investment in green jobs and much talk of “levelling up”, many are seeking to explore the opportunities and funding streams currently available.

The question is where to start?

Bristol City Council and the West of England Combined Authority (WECA) both provide handy guides to a range of different adult education courses and providers across the city.

Many of the council-run courses take place at Stoke Lodge in Stoke Bishop or St Paul’s Learning Centre, with options for online learning as well. Some of the courses currently taking on new students include floristry, film studies, languages and gardening. A full overview of what’s on offer is available via: www.bristol.gov.uk/schools-learning-early-years/adult-courses-and-learning

On the WECA website, you’ll find details for training in green skills, combatting digital exclusion and more. Full details are available via www.westofengland-ca.gov.uk/what-we-do/employment-skills/

St Paul’s Learning Centre hosts courses for adults seeking to retrain or learn a new skill – photo: Ellie Pipe

With two flagship universities, Bristol’s known for being a student-friendly city but the higher education offering isn’t limited to young undergraduates. Each university offers a whole range of course options for people of all ages.

Bristol University runs a wide range of part-time and ‘taster’ courses and the English department alone offers 29 short courses covering a range of humanities subjects. Among the most popular of the courses currently running is the university’s English literature and community engagement degree, where students indulge their love of literature and learn how to share that in their local community.

Marie-Annick Gournet, senior lecturer and director of part-time programmes in the department of English, explained: “I am always proud to speak about our degree in English literature and community engagement as it is a truly unique programme, with a strong emphasis on civic engagement.

“We offer the course on a part-time basis to mature learners age ranging typically from early 20s to late 70s. You do not need any previous qualification to join.

“Our learners come from an exceptionally wide range of social, educational and ethnic backgrounds; most work full time or part-time, a few are retired, and many have family or other commitments. Such diversity makes all our discussions wide-ranging and widely informed.”

University of Bristol is hosting an event aimed at Muslim students in the Wills Memorial Building – photo: University of Bristol

An event hosted by Bristol University on Wednesday, March 2 focuses on faith and higher education. Aimed at Muslim students from school years nine to 12 and their families and support networks and also mature students, the evening event will explore the ideas and misconceptions behind pursuing higher education and their Muslim faith.

Held in the Wills Memorial building, there will be a panel discussion featuring academics, students and community members, followed by a Q & A and then a halal dinner.

UWE Bristol also offers a wide range of different course options covering urban planning, wildlife conservation, legal practice, cyber security psychology and everything in between.

Dr Fiona Lawrence is the director of workforce development and educational partnerships at UWE’s Faculty of Health and Applied Science and says the university offers continuing professional development opportunities across many fields.

‘Our faculty offers a large selection of professional development courses, predominantly in the field of health and social care,” says Lawrence.

“These courses are designed for those who are already working in their chosen field and would like to gain additional knowledge or skills. This may be at the request of their employer to address workforce skills gaps, or to help the learner progress in their career, providing benefit to the employer, learner and community alike.”

Sticking with higher education and institutions such as Weston College and City of Bristol College also run a number of part-time adult courses.

Weston College has created a dedicated package of support to help adults retrain to seek employment in sectors where there are currently staff and skills shortages, as well as covering vocational or ‘hobby’ subjects such as with floristry, arts and crafts, computing, beauty, CAD, welding and car mechanics.

Dr Paul Phillips CBE, principal and chief executive of Weston College, said: “Our free adult careers coaching and course advice sessions have been really popular over the last year and as a result, we will be continuing with these. If you or someone you know is looking for advice and support, we are ready to help.”

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It’s not just educational establishments that offer adult education courses, there is also a whole host of specialist training available across the city.

Black South West Network (BSWN) has partnered with UWE and NatWest on a project aimed at helping Black and Asian young adults in Britain into green jobs.

Green Skills for Jobs and Entrepreneurship provides skills, employment and startup opportunities as part of efforts to generate an inclusive pipeline of talent for local businesses and drive the region’s transition to a green economy.

Funded by the UK Community Renewal Fund, which is managed by WECA for the region, the project will provide free training for young adults in key green skills areas and facilitate access to businesses looking to recruit. It will also work with organisations looking to gain access to graduate talent and introduce key green skills into their business.

Whether to help with employment or expand communication skills, there are plenty of courses geared towards helping people learn a new language.

One such organisation is the Yu Japanese Language School, which is launching a new beginners course at the end of September to take place during evenings with exact dates to be confirmed in July.

The school has eight levels of course from beginner to advanced, with classes currently taking place online but hopes to return to the Clifton site in April when the new term starts. Prices currently remain the same as in 2011 when Yu Japanese was launched.

Yu Japanese Language School offers a range of courses from beginner up – photo: Yu Japanese Language School

Charlotte Rooney, college manager and holistic massage graduate from the Bristol College of Massage and Bodywork (BCMB) hasn’t looked back since retraining in 2015.

“The level of personal development and self-reflection this course guides you through is beyond compare really,” said Rooney. “People regularly call it life changing and transformational – not just because it’s allowed them to switch careers, but because of how much they have grown during the year.”

BCMB runs a monthly holistic massage introduction for beginners, professional training in holistic, remedial and sports massage, varied workshops for qualified therapists and a low-cost graduate massage clinic every Thursday. The college is enrolling now for courses starting in March. Find out more via www.bristolmassage.co.uk.

Himilo Training aims to empower refugee and migrant communities living in the UK to lead self-sufficient and ambitious lives – photo: Himilo/ ACH

Himilo Training in St Paul’s specialises in courses for refugee and migrant communities in Bristol.

“We aim to empower refugee and migrant communities living in the UK to lead self-sufficient and ambitious lives. We believe that increased access to support, training and education creates the spaces and opportunities for people to thrive,” explains Sheena, Himilo Training’s curriculum and quality manager.

The courses cover a range of subjects, including English, maths, ICT and employability. There is also a range of courses for all levels of English, from pre-entry up to level two.

Sheena adds: “One of our up and coming training courses is needlework, which will allow learners to develop a new skill in a supportive, social setting whilst making new friends along the way. Himilo Training courses not only aim to teach newly-arrived people the skills for employment, but also help forge community networks and friendships for integration into UK life.”

Clay Shed has witnessed a surge in people wanting to learn pottery skills – photo: Clay Shed

Pottery has seen something of a renaissance in recent years, with the likes of Channel 4’s The Great Pottery Throw Down contributing to its growing popularity. And the Clay Shed in Lawrence Hill is perfectly placed to provide opportunities for anyone seeking to learn more.

Alice Shields, a co-founder of the Clay Shed, says that since lockdown, they have seen more students looking to try new experiences that are physical, material-based and provide creative escapism from computer-based jobs.

“Lockdown has also changed the professional working landscape, meaning lots of people are now able to work flexible hours, providing opportunity for them to enrol on our courses during the day,” adds Shields.

The Clay Shed runs its teaching programme in line with the academic year, with courses running from January to March and then April to July.

There is a range of courses to suit complete beginners, as well as students with previous experience looking to develop their technical skills and creativity, as well as one-off workshops.

“Lockdown has also changed the professional working landscape,” says Alice Shields of Clay Shed – photo: Clay Shed

Main photo: Bristol University 

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