Ian Jinks, course co-ordinator explains that the Access to Education course will be offered as a ‘blended learning’ course.
“It is aimed at mature students who have been out of full-time education for at least two years. Some may have been out of school for much longer and, having left without any recognised qualifications, are now finding it difficult to either find employment or to move up the career ladder.
“This course will give them the necessary skills and confidence to progress to other FE and potentially HE courses which could in the longer term improve their employability.”
Acknowledging that many mature students will have caring responsibilities, Ian added that although the course is full-time, students will not have to attend class every day.
“It is offered as a ‘blended learning’ course, a combination of face to face and online teaching, which allows a degree of flexibility for anyone with caring responsibilities.”
The focus of the Access to Education course is on improving Literacy and Numeracy skills as well as giving an introduction to Health and Social Care. Subjects may include: English, Mathematics, Social Science, Sociology, Health and Social Care, ICT, IT Skills, Study Skills and Wellbeing and Resilience.
Students who successfully complete Level 2 can progress to Level 3 Access to University Diploma in Social Sciences (validated by Ulster University) and follow in the footsteps of former students Caroline Nugent and Claire McDonald. Caroline, who is from Cookstown and Claire who lives in Maghera, both completed an Access Diploma at the College’s Magherafelt campus in June 2021 and are now studying Midwifery at Queen’s University Belfast.