Later this month, the ALS team will be on hand at four centres across the city to answer questions about the courses that will be available from September.

The open days are all drop-in and are:

• Monday 24 June – 10am-2pm – Norris Green Adult Learning Centre, Clubmoor Children’s Centre, Utting Avenue East, L11 1DQ
• Wednesday 26 June – 10am-2pm and 5-7pm – Newsham Adult Learning Centre, 83 Newsham Drive, L6 7UH
• Thursday 27 June – 10am-2pm and 5-7pm, Park Road Adult Learning Centre, 163 Park Road, L8 6SE
• Friday 28 June – 10am-2pm, Granby Adult Learning Centre, The Granby Centre, 79 Granby Street, L8 2TU

As well as continuing their regular offer, which includes, English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL), maths and English courses, ICT, beauty, volunteering, sewing, languages, and catering, there will also be a new series of courses for learners who would like to work in early years and with school-aged children.

The working with children courses support the national drive to encourage more people to develop a career in this area. The courses available through the ALS are:

• L1 Award in preparing to work in schools
• Level 1 caring for children
• Level 2 Award/ certificate in supporting teaching and learning in schools
• Level 3 Diploma in in supporting teaching and learning in schools
• Level 2 Diploma in early years practitioner
• Level 2 Certificate in understanding autism
• Level 1 Award in mentoring
• Level 1 Award in stress awareness

Many of the courses offered by the ALS are free if learners receive certain benefits, if they earn less than £31,600 a year, or if the courses are English, Maths and IT courses. Other courses can also be paid for in instalments over three months.

Last year the ALS, was rated overall as “good” by Ofsted with learners’ attitudes and their personal development found to be “outstanding” following a four-day inspection.

The ALS is funded by the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority and supports about 4,500 learners each year.

Kate Bull, Director of Economic Strategy, Skills and Sustainability, said:

“The Adult Learning Service team is really looking forward to meeting lots of potential new learners at our open days.

“If you’re thinking about returning to work, changing career direction or just want to learn something new from September, please come along. The team has a real wealth of experience and will be able to answer all your questions. They also understand that returning to the classroom can be a big step for many people.

“We’re very excited to be offering courses for people who would like to work with children. Our recruitment event this month showed the interest in this area and it enables us to support the national expansion of funded childcare and wraparound childcare.”