More than 100 free online courses developed by Learn Devon as part of Devon County Council’s response to the coronavirus pandemic are available from today (Friday 1 May).

The online courses cover three main subject areas – employability, wellbeing and digital skills.

Learn Devon provides adult and community learning courses on behalf of Devon County Council. The registered training provider has devised the new online learning courses to support people who may have been made redundant or are currently seeking work.

There are also online courses that have been designed for vulnerable people currently self-isolating, volunteers supporting Devon County Council during the pandemic, as well as local businesses.

This is the initial phase of new courses to be launched as part of Learn Devon’s response to help those most affected by the coronavirus outbreak, whether the impact is economic, social or affecting wellbeing and mental health.

Learn Devon and Devon County Council are working closely to find out more about the current needs of businesses and communities across the county. This will be used to help shape additional courses aimed to be released in the summer.

Councillor Rufus Gilbert, Devon County Council Cabinet Member for Economy and Skills, said:

“This is a difficult time for everyone across Devon and while Learn Devon has had to close its centres it has found a way to help learners build new skills remotely, while delivering the same high-quality learning experience. Over the past few weeks, Learn Devon has moved quickly to adapt its courses in order to meet the needs of learners and the wider community in the face of Covid-19. As a team, they’ve focused on shifting what was principally a face to face service to an online solution.

“It’s a great example of a team rapidly transforming its offer and approach to meet the changing needs of our residents and learners. It demonstrates perfectly how the Council can adapt its services to thrive online and benefit local people even during a period of disruption.”

Courses for Employability include –
Completing an application form;
Job search;
Maths for self-employed.

Courses for physical, mental and social wellbeing include –
Relaxation skills for carers;
Home-schooling – help with reading, maths, arts and crafts activities and more;
Yoga and mindfulness and overcoming anxiety; stress and anger management;
Creative gardening for wellbeing;
Creative writing;
Art for wellbeing;
Foreign languages and more.

Digital Skills courses include –
Using social media for job searches;
Accessing GP services online;
Accessing Universal Credit.

Learn Devon also offers free GCSE preparation courses to help anyone wishing to join its GCSE maths or English courses, starting this September. Virtual open days and Questions and Answer sessions are being held for GCSE courses – look out for more information on the Learn Devon website and social media.

You can browse courses and enrol on the Learn Devon website or you can also enrol by calling 0345 155 1014.

 

An image of the Learn Devon logo
An image of the Devon County Council Logo