Digital skills are essential, from supporting your working life to trying to book a doctor’s appointment. Our free Digital Skills and EDSQ courses can help you develop your skills for day to day life, work and beyond.
We offer a range of exam and non-exam based courses to suit your current skills and goals.
Beginner courses
For those looking to freshen up skills, or start using a computer for the first time, we offer Digital Skills for Beginners and Digital Skills for Improvers. These 6-week courses can be tailored to your needs.
Nationally recognised qualifications
For those seeking a nationally recognised qualification, we offer the Essential Digital Skills Qualification, an 18 week course designed to equip you with the skills needed to navigate any office or other work setting.
Courses are available across the borough - contact us for more information on your nearest options. We will provide a suitable tablet laptop in the classroom.
Digital and ICT for Beginners or Improvers
Course duration
Up to 6 weeks, 2.5 hours a week, term time only.
What will I learn?
By the end of the beginners course you will be able to:
- Use a mouse to left click, right click, double click, and finally click and drag
- Use a keyboard to type complete sentences, including using capital letters and punctuation symbols
- Open the start menu to find the applications installed on your computer
- Open an internet browser to find information using search engines
- Send emails, including emails with attachments
- Be able to use the in-built accessibility tools of Windows, such as the magnifying glass and contrast modes
By the end of the improvers course you will be able to:
- Locate and open Microsoft Word and use different functions to create a piece of text
- Use Microsoft Word to create a CV or letter
- Locate and open Microsoft Excel and use some formulae
- Use Microsoft Excel to create a budgeting spreadsheet
- Locate and open Microsoft PowerPoint and use features such as slide transitions and animations
- Use Microsoft PowerPoint to create a slideshow on a topic of your choice
- Use the internet to purchase goods, ensuring awareness of your online rights and how to stay safe online
This qualification will help you to develop the transferable skills, attributes and behaviours needed for you to progress to further study and ultimately to employment.
In addition, all learners will develop key numeracy, literacy and ICT skills as appropriate.
How will I be assessed?
Progression is monitored and reviewed regularly via a learner’s Individual Learning Plan.
Entry requirements
No previous experience, just a commitment to learn. You must be able to understand and follow spoken and written instructions in English and write in short paragraphs as a minimum.
Progression
These qualifications prepare learners for further learning at a higher level, should you wish to. You can progress on to the Essential Digital Skills Qualification (a nationally recognised qualification). Learners who do not already have a Level 2 in Maths or English will be given the opportunity to enrol to these too.
Course fees
Free for all eligible learners, including those completing these courses for the first time. Please note that if you have not been a British resident for the past three years, additional criteria will apply. Visit learner services for further information.
Apply now (external link) or phone 01942 489758.
Essential Digital Skills Qualification (EDSQ)
Course duration
The course is delivered 1 day per week for 18 weeks. Term time only.
What will I learn?
Our digital skills courses will take you from a complete beginner to a confident digital user. The EDSQ is a nationally recognised qualification for your computer skills, available at two levels:
Learners develop the skills to create and edit documents, such as letters and posters, using their computer, tailored towards the programs and devices learners have access to in their day to day lives.
Learners also develop the skills needed to use the internet safely and in a critical manner, to help protect themselves from fake news, online scams, and other dangers, whilst enjoying the benefits of online resources, social media, and sending e-mails.
Learners develop the ability to fill in forms online, enabling them access to the world of online shopping.
Finally, learners develop the skills needed to use tablets and other mobile devices, including installing apps and applying settings to apps.
Learners will learn more advanced skills. To start this course learners will need to have basic digital skills, for example be able to fill forms in online and use email. On this course you will learn to create spreadsheets and presentations.
Learners also develop the skills needed to tackle their own technical problems through online search engines, and to help others with technical problems.
This qualification will help you to develop the transferable skills, attributes and behaviours needed for you to progress to further study and ultimately to employment. In addition, all learners will develop key numeracy, literacy, and ICT skills as appropriate.
How will I be assessed?
All units are internally assessed via a portfolio of work and your award is validated by Pearsons Awarding Body.
Entry requirements
No previous experience, just a commitment to learn. You must be able to understand and follow spoken and written instructions in English and write in short paragraphs as a minimum.
You will undertake a short initial assessment prior to starting.
Progression
These qualifications prepare learners for further learning at a higher level.
Learners who do not already have a Level 2 in Maths or English will be given the opportunity to enrol to these too.
Course fees
Free for all eligible learners, including those completing these courses for the first time. Please note that if you have not been a British resident for the past three years, additional criteria will apply. Visit learner services for further information.
Apply now (external link) or phone 01942 489758.