Apprenticeship stories – Mary
Did you know that an apprenticeship could help you go into further education? Mary, Community Support Worker, is currently…
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Apprenticeship and Skills Fair
Meet local apprenticeship services and explore a wide range of apprenticeship and skills opportunities and support available. If you’re interested in enrolling onto an apprenticeship or qualification, or you’re an employer interested in recruiting/upskilling staff, this event could benefit you.
Apprenticeship online events
Join our apprentice event on 6th Feb 2023 or our employer event on 7th Feb 2023 to find out more about our apprenticeship offer.
Course Guide January – July 2023
Browse our full range of courses and discover opportunities to develop new skills whilst connecting with others in your community
2023 financial wellbeing courses
Our courses could help you to reduce your household bills, improve your wellbeing, gain qualifications, improve career prospects and earning potential.
Retrofit
In partnership with The Retrofit Academy, we are now delivering retrofit training Level 2 through to Level 5. Retrofit is the process of upgrading existing homes to make them more energy efficient.
Funding Support
Did you know if your household income is less than £32k per annum you could receive support to help with associated learning costs e.g. books, travel, childcare, laptop and wifi?
Latest News
Apprenticeship stories – Emily
Emily joined the Basildon Council rehousing team in 2022 under the Kickstart programme, and has progressed onto a L3 Business…
Inspire Your Heart with Art Day
Today we celebrate Inspire Your Heart With Art Day. Although we are inspired everyday by our learners, this day recognises…
NEWS RELEASE: ACL Essex is offering fully funded retrofit training in partnership with The Retrofit Academy
ACL Essex is offering fully funded retrofit training in partnership with The Retrofit Academy Adult learning provider ACL Essex, which…
NEWS RELEASE: ACL Essex hosts apprenticeship events to showcase opportunities
To mark Apprenticeship Week, which runs from 6-12 February 2023, adult education provider ACL Essex, part of Essex County Council…
Artist-Teacher in Adult Community Learning Conference
We are delighted to share that the the 1st Artist-Teacher in Adult Community Learning Conference will take place in partnership with Norwich…
10 top tips to help families cope over Christmas
10 top tips to help families cope over Christmas 1 – Say ‘NO’ without feeling guilty There are only 24…
New FREE language tasters
We are encouraging you to try your hand at languages in the new year, with the launch of our free…
Feeling brighter in the darker months
The Winter months can be a challenging time for many. Days are shorter, nights become longer, and the temperature drops.…
We have our winners: Christmas card competition
In October, we launched our Creative Climate Change Challenge. We asked you to produce either a piece that highlights the…
Supported Learning pop-up Christmas shops
Please visit one of our Supported Learning pop-up Christmas shops! 13th December, 11am – 1pm: ACL Colchester 13th December, time…
Race to Zero: we are investing in sustainable futures
We are investing in new sustainable practises and technology as part of our commitment to the global UNFCCC ‘Race to…
NEWS RELEASE: Race to Zero: ACL Essex invests in sustainable futures
Adult learning provider, ACL Essex, is investing in new sustainable practises and technology as part of its commitment to the…
Tutor exhibits at Snape Maltings
One of our tutors, Tessa Frampton, has been invited to show her work as a solo exhibition at the Malting Gallery in…
Sustainable Choices in the Creative Curriculum
Article by Jane, Curriculum Lead – Creative Industries and Culture The terms ‘sustainability’ and ‘sustainable development’ have seen increasing usage since the…
We have our winners: Creative Climate Change Challenge
In October, we launched our Creative Climate Change Challenge. We asked you to produce either a piece that highlights the…
GCSE Fast Track – gain a GCSE in 6 months
Did you know you can gain a GCSE in as little as 6 months? Our FastTrack GCSE English and Maths courses…
Are you ready to lead? ILM Success Story: Rhos
Whether you’re a new, current, or aspiring leader, a Leadership & Management qualification (ILM) will give you the skills you…
Apprenticeship stories – Rubie
Hello, my name is Rubie Hubbard and I recently completed my Level 3 Business Administration apprenticeship with ACL, finishing with…
NEWS RELEASE: Adult Community Learning Essex Offers Support with Cost-of-Living Crisis
NEWS RELEASE: Adult Community Learning Essex Offers Support with Cost-of-Living Crisis As energy bills and the cost of living are…
“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