Digital Skills
At New Directions College we offer a complete range of Digital Skills training. Starting with everyday and essential digital skills through to ICT systems support, DevOps and Python programming.
The Curious Lounge – a place to listen, learn and meet
In partnership with the Thames Valley Local Enterprise Partnership, Reading UK CIC and Indigo Loop, New Directions College is the Lead partner at the Curious Lounge. An innovative state of the art learning space where we deliver the vast majority of our Digital Skills courses. Based a 5 minute walk from Reading Station and located in the Pinnacle Building, the Curious Lounge offers a relaxed learning environment to develop your digital skills and digital networks.
Digital Skills Courses
Everyday Digital Skills (day)
Although technology is all around, many people struggle to use it effectively. Gaining digital skills can reduce isolation, increase career prospects and enable people to access relevant information. This pre-entry level, 4 week FREE course, is flexible and tailor made to individual learners who may be complete beginners or just keen to learn more. The course would give insights into accessing devices, searching for information online, being safe online, communicating online and possibly a taster to Office applications.
Starting at the Curious Lounge: Friday 17th September 2021, Friday 4th March 2022 and Friday 29th April 2022. All sessions will be 9:30 – 12:30.
Starting at New Directions South: Tuesday 14th September 2021 at 9:30 – 12.30pm, Monday 10th January 2022 at 12:30 – 15:30pm and Tuesday 7th June 2022 at 9:30 – 12:30pm.
Course fee: FREE
Essential Digital Skills (day and evening)
The National Digital Standard published by the Department for Education, aims to support adults in five key areas – Communicating, Handling information and content, Transacting, Problem Solving and Being safe online. This entry level accredited course will cover all of these areas and will help the learner gain necessary skills to improve their career prospects. The course is FREE under the digital entitlement. Courses are approximately 16 weeks in duration depending on venue and start date.
Starting at New Directions South: Thursday 16th September 2021 ay 19:00 – 21:30pm, 12th October 2021 at 9:30 – 12:30pm and 1st March 2022 at 9:30 – 12:30pm.
Starting at Southcote Community Hub: Friday 17th September 2021 at 9:30 – 12:30
Course fee: FREE
IT Skills for Job Seekers (day)
This free 5 week course is ideal for anyone who wants to improve their digital job search skills, whether you are applying for your first job, have become unemployed or considering a career change. It will cover the basics of CV writing, cover letters, creating a LinkedIn Profile and tools to search for a job online. Sessions to be held at New Directions South at 12:30 – 15:30pm.
Starting: Tuesday 11th January 2022, Tuesday 26th April 2022 and Tuesday 7th June 2022.
Course fee: FREE
L1 Digital Skills Certificate (online)
This fully accredited, online course is designed to help support your development with digital literacy skills, encouraging progression into job roles where digital literacy is required. You will learn the following: Find and use information, safety and security when using data and digital devices, communicating and collaborating online, using word processing software and Digital career development. This course typically takes 8-12 weeks to complete.
Once enrolled onto the course, you will be sent a link to the Learning Portal called e-assessor with login credentials. You will be given an induction that explains how the portal works. You and your Tutor can decide a schedule of contact and how often support would be needed. The portal will contain workbooks that you must refer to and study from and also submit assignments into. Once you submit an assignment, your Tutor will grade it and provide feedback. For learners that find it difficult to read for long periods of time online, hard copies of workbooks can be provided.
Starting: This course is delivered through distance learning and completely online. It offers flexible starts based on individual learner enrolment.
Course fee: This course may be FREE of charge based on your personal circumstances . Contact us to find out more information. If you are not eligible for a discount, the fee will be £774.
L1 Functional Skills in ICT (day and evening)
This course provides a good foundation in ICT for those who already have some basic knowledge. It covers Online safety basic computer settings & maintenance, using internet & email, storing, accessing and sharing files online , word processing , Excel spreadsheets , presentations and using a database. Delivered at the Curious Lounge, New Directions South and Southcote Community Hub
This is an accredited L1 Functional Skills qualification with City and Guilds.
Starting at Southcote Community Hub: Wednesday 12th January 2022 at 9:30 – 12:30
Starting at the Curious Lounge: Wednesday 1st February 2022 at 9:30 – 12:30
Starting at New Directions South: Wednesday 15th September 2021 at 9.30 – 12:30 and Thursday 3rd March 2022 at 19:00 – 21:30pm.
Course fee: The course may be FREE depending on your personal circumstances. Please contact us.
L2 Digital Skills Certificate (online)
This accredited online course enhances your competency in digital literacy skills, supporting you within your current job role or giving the opportunity for progression into a role where digital skills are required. This course is delivered online and through distance learning. Therefore the start date and time you spend learning is completely flexible. This course typically takes 8-12 weeks to complete.
Once enrolled onto the course, you will be sent a link to the Learning Portal called e-assessor with login credentials. You will be given an induction that explains how the portal works. You and your Tutor can decide a schedule of contact and how often support would be needed. The portal will contain workbooks that you must refer to and study from and also submit assignments into. Once you submit an assignment, your Tutor will grade it and provide feedback. For learners that find it difficult to read for long periods of time online, hard copies of workbooks can be provided.
Starting: This course is delivered through distance learning and completely online. It offers flexible starts based on individual learner enrolment.
Course fee: The course may be FREE depending on your personal circumstances. Please contact us.
L2 Functional Skills in ICT (day)
This 13 week course is ideal for learners looking to develop transferable skills in ICT in order to work independently and confidently. This course provides a more advanced look at ICT including Online safety, basic computer settings & maintenance, using internet & email
storing, accessing and sharing files online, word processing, Excel spreadsheets, presentations and using a database. This is an accredited L2 Functional Skills qualification with City and Guilds. Sessions will be held at Southcote Community Hub and New Directions South and will run at 9:30 – 12:30pm.
Starting at New Directions South: Thursday 13th January 2022.
Starting at Southcote Community Hub: Friday 25th March 2022
Course fee: The course may be FREE depending on your personal circumstances. Please contact us.
NEW L2 Certificate in Data Protection and Data Security (online)
This fully accredited online course will cover the basics of protecting and securing data. You will learn about current Data Protection Legislation and its application, threats to IT systems and how to protect them and the consequences of not protecting data and its impact. This course is delivered online and through distance learning. Therefore the start date and time you spend learning is completely flexible. This course typically takes 8-12 weeks to complete.
Once enrolled onto the course, you will be sent a link to the Learning Portal called e-assessor with login credentials. You will be given an induction that explains how the portal works. You and your Tutor can decide a schedule of contact and how often support would be needed. The portal will contain workbooks that you must refer to and study from and also submit assignments into. Once you submit an assignment, your Tutor will grade it and provide feedback. For learners that find it difficult to read for long periods of time online, hard copies of workbooks can be provided.
Starting: This course is delivered through distance learning and completely online. It offers flexible starts based on individual learner enrolment.
Course fee: The course may be FREE depending on your personal circumstances. Please contact us.
L2 Certificate in ICT Systems Support (twilight)
This 27 week course offers a full Level 2 accredited qualification with City and Guilds and offers you the opportunity to learn and demonstrate the knowledge and skills required in a number of different job roles within the ICT sector. This could include work as a System analyst or system support technician. This qualification is also suitable for Database Administrators and IT Product Developers. Delivered at the Curious Lounge and online, sessions will run at 15:30 – 18:00pm on a Wednesday.
Starting: Tuesday 14th September 2021
Course fee: This course may be FREE of charge depending on personal circumstances. Please contact us to find out more.
NEW L3 Diploma for ICT Users (day)
This fully accredited, 18 month course, provides advanced skills and knowledge that could lead to further education in ICT or related areas. It can offer those moving into their first job role, the confidence to work effectively with ICT and deal with tasks that are straightforward or routine. This course is free to those who do not already have a L3 qualification under the National Skills Fund. Delivered at the Curious Lounge and online, sessions will be held on a Tuesday and Thursday morning from 9:30 – 12:30.
Starting: Tuesday 14th September 2022
Course fee: This course is free to those who do not already have a L3 qualification. Please contact us to see if you qualify.