Flexible learning courses from Stratford-upon-Avon College offer a simple, practical way for businesses to invest in their people. Available free to eligible adults aged 19+, the courses are designed to fit around busy lives, allowing employees to study when it suits them best – whether during work or from the comfort of home.
Throughout their course, learners are supported by a dedicated tutor who provides guidance, feedback and assessment support, helping them work towards a recognised qualification.
These courses cover a wide range of workplace-relevant subjects, including business management, health and social care, mental health and wellbeing, education and childcare, and counselling. This gives employers the opportunity to develop skills that directly support business goals, whether that's building leadership capability, improving customer service or supporting staff wellbeing.
For SMEs, the benefits offer flexible, self-paced learning - meaning employees can develop new skills with minimal disruption to day-to-day operations, while fully funded courses for eligible learners help remove cost barriers.
Staff at Whistle PR carried out the Understanding Climate Change & Environmental Awareness (NCFE Level 2 Certificate) flexible learning course in a bid to embed positive sustainability practices within its workplace.
Business Support Manager, Claire Saltmarshe, says she feels the course had an immediate positive impact: “We gained important knowledge we could pass onto our clients – we also had a new service regarding ESG communications (environmental, social and governance) which we could offer to potential and existing clients. We wanted this to be a specialist pillar for the business and the course gave us good grounding to share our knowledge on what is an incredibly important subject.
“It also helped us as a business with our aim to increase the team’s awareness of sustainability and our goal to get to net zero. We also have more knowledge and confidence in supporting clients when it comes to ESG.”
Investing in development can boost employee confidence, engagement and retention, while helping businesses build a stronger, more capable workforce. It's a practical, low-risk way to develop talent from within and equip teams with skills that can be applied straight away.
For employees, it's a chance to gain new qualifications and progress their careers. For employers, it's an accessible way to unlock potential and support long-term business growth.
Students are already seeing the benefits of these courses. Richard Newell, a mature student who studied on the College’s free Business Start-Up flexible learning course explained how the course helped him get started: “It’s given me great awareness and understanding of different aspects of business, as well as fresh ideas on topics I already knew about. It also made me think about areas I hadn’t yet considered. If anyone is thinking of starting a business, I would recommend this course. It provides a great understanding of all the necessary building blocks required. It even gives guidance on ideas of what your business could be. The tutor support and feedback is invaluable.”
Since then, Richard’s business has gone from strength to strength: “Since completing the course, I’ve been very active on the Solihull business networking scene. I now have several clients in the area and have used my copywriting skills to promote various local events, charities, and CICs.”
To find out more or explore available courses, contact:
0121 678 7000
