Calling all tech enthusiasts! We are looking for Digital Champions
We’re looking for people who are enthusiastic about technology to step forward as part of a new volunteer programme, ‘Digital…
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2022 Course Guide
Browse over 1000 new courses starting January in our 2022 Course Guide. Available now to view online or download.
Digital Champions
Digital Champions improve lives across the county through empowering people to learn basic digital skills and access the online world, benefiting from digital technology.
Parent Ambassador Programme
ACL’s Parent Ambassador programme aims to improve the lives of families living in Essex. Become a Parent Ambassador and make a difference to families in your school community.
Evolve
FREE one to one support for residents who are unemployed, and whose employment and training prospects have been affected by COVID-19.
Latest Apprenticeship Vacancies
Our range of apprenticeship are perfect for individuals looking to improve their career prospects.
Fully Funded Level 2 and 3 courses
Latest News
Fully funded training programme for businesses
Essex Retrain, Retain, Gain is a fully funded training programme for employers to invest in the development of their staff.…
COVID-19 Safety Guidance when visiting centres – Updated January 2022
As we continue to prioritise the safety of our learners and staff, please adhere to the below updated safety guidance…
Essex County Council to launch new Arts and Culture Fund
Essex County Council (ECC) have committed to unlocking £1,000,000 of funding over five years to support Essex’s arts and cultural…
Apprenticeship spotlight – Customer Service
Each week, we’ll be showcasing the fantastic apprenticeships opportunities we have to help support and develop businesses, apprentices, and the…
ACL Essex launches new courses for 2022
We are excited to launch our new courses for 2022! There’s over 1000 courses on offer across our centres and…
We have our winners: Autumn and Winter Scenes Competition
In November we launched our Autumn and Winter Scenes Competition. We asked you to get creative and submit artwork and…
Access to Higher Education students get a taste for life at university
On Wednesday 24th November, Access to Higher Education (HE) students from ACL had the opportunity to visit the University of…
Become a Parent Ambassador
Become a Parent Ambassador and make a difference to families in your school community. Parent Ambassadors volunteer in schools and…
Need help finding employment and training opportunities?
Visit the Evolve team at the Eastgate Shopping Centre in Basildon on 12th December, who will be there to answer…
Apprenticeship spotlight – IT & Technology
Each week, we’ll be showcasing the fantastic apprenticeships opportunities we have to help support and develop businesses, apprentices, and the…
We have a winner! Green Place Happy Place photography competition
Earlier this year, we launched the Green Space Happy Place Photography Competition in partnership with Explore Essex. to promote the positive…
SL Employability Horticulture Students exciting project with Firstsite
SL Employability Horticulture Students have recently started an exciting project with Firstsite Gallery, Colchester (winners of the Art Fund Museum…
A creative writer’s journey
Article by Vicky, Creative Writing learner In my twenties, I took my first short story class. Meeting other writers and…
Apprentice of the Year – ACL Awards 2021
Last Wednesday, we hosted our 2021 ACL Awards. The last 20 months have been a very challenging time for us…
Autumn and Winter Scenes Competition
It’s nearly that magical time of year again, and what better way to celebrate than sharing all your wonderful autumn…
Creative & Cultural Learner of the Year – ACL Awards 2021
On Wednesday evening, we hosted our 2021 ACL Awards. The last 20 months have been a very challenging time for…
Access to HE Learner of the Year – ACL Awards 2021
On Wednesday evening, we hosted our 2021 ACL Awards. The last 20 months have been a very challenging time for…
AAT Learner of the Year – ACL Awards 2021
On Wednesday evening, we hosted our 2021 ACL Awards. The last 20 months have been a very challenging time for…
Italian success story – Jennie
Just over twenty five years ago Jennie Johnson, 53, from Colchester was an English teacher with a love of Italy;…
“I would 100% recommend doing an apprenticeship to anyone…”
I would 100% recommend doing an apprenticeship to anyone. There are so many different courses out there to choose from and all of them give learners so many different opportunities to excel in a work place. With these opportunities and skills, joined with the knowledge of your chosen course, you are assured to be an ideal candidate for any job!
Holly from Burnham-on-Crouch
“ACL provided me with the opportunity to work around my family life…”
Hi, I’m Monika, 49. I’m originally from India and moved here 14 years ago. Whilst my kids were growing up I volunteered in schools. In order to progress to other roles I knew I needed to get GCSEs in English and maths. I have today achieved a grade 9 in my English exam which I am over the moon about. ACL provided me with the opportunity to work around my family life and I have never had such a good tutor in all my life – amazing! I had no idea that I would get the highest possible grade, I am an introvert by nature so this is just such a shock for me. I would advise anyone who is thinking about learning with ACL to do it today! I am now all ready to start my GCSE maths course this year.
Monika from Colchester
“I would advise anyone that needs a GCSE to think about ACL…”
I’m Nick, 54 and am about to start a teacher training course at Moulsham High School teaching Computer Science. I was all set to follow my dream of becoming a teacher but realised that I was lacking a GCSE pass in English. I heard about ACL and was able to enrol on the course easily. Angela, our teacher was amazing and really effective and as a result I have today received a grade 7 – hurray! I would advise anyone that needs a GCSE to think about ACL, very professional and we all worked as a team in class.
Nick from Colchester
“The skills I have learnt throughout my time on the apprenticeship with ACL has prepared me to be able to progress within my organisation…”
I started with Essex County Council in February 2019 as a Business Support Assistant in the file and data team, where I quickly settled into the team and managed to learn all the tasks very quickly. In May 2019, I spoke with my line manager about the possibility of enrolling on the ‘Business Administrator – L3’ apprenticeship. My line manager fully supported this and contacted ACL to get me enrolled. The skills I have learnt throughout my time on the apprenticeship with ACL has prepared me to be able to progress within my organisation and feel confident in doing so. I am on course to finish my Business Administrator – L3 qualification this year and I am hoping to do this with the best possible mark.
Wade from Basildon
Creative & Cultural Learning
Ever wanted to learn how to cook, draw, sculpt, speak a new language, or try something new?
Qualifications and Skills for Employment
Do you want to improve your CV, gain skills to progress in your current role, or looking for a new career?
English, Maths, Science & Digital
Whatever your reason to improve your English, Maths, Science or Digital skills, ACL can help! Our courses could be free* and support you to gain the qualifications you need…
Mental Health & Wellbeing
Learn about looking after your mental health and wellbeing, in addition to supporting your family and friends.
Family Learning
These courses offer you the opportunity to learn together to build strong relationships, develop new skills and raise aspirations for all the family.
Apprenticeships
Hundreds of courses across the county, there’s something for every learner and business.
Supported Learning
Our Supported Learning courses have been created specifically for adults with learning difficulties and disabilities wishing to develop social and personal skills, and those wishing to gain qualifications and employment.
About Us
ACL offers a wide range of day time and evening adult learning courses to help you improve your job prospects, learn a new skill or simply inspire you.
Support
Click on the links below to see what types of support ACL can offer you.
On-site Services
We have a range of on-site services including beauty room, hair salons and nurseries & preschools