£4.5m Partnership Expands Adult Skills

Free learning opportunities for adult residents across Hartlepool. We have joined forces with Hartlepool Borough Council to create more free learning opportunities for adults across Hartlepool. Backed by £4.5 million of adult education investment from Tees Valley Combined Authority, the partnership will help residents aged 19 and over gain qualifications and develop new skills.

Whether you want to secure your first job, progress at work or take your career in a new direction, you can access training shaped around your goals and the needs of local employers. The programme includes full-time and part-time courses, with opportunities ranging from pre-entry level through to Level 3. Courses will run until the end of July 2027. Subjects available across the partnership include English, maths, digital skills, leadership and management, bricklaying, welding, health and social care, accounting, women’s hairdressing, airline cabin crew, personal training and childcare.

We work with more than 300 employers and rank first in the North East for delivering courses aligned with national skills priorities. These connections help us provide training that leads towards meaningful and sustainable careers. Alison Hill, our Head of Adult Education, said: “It’s an exciting time to be a Hartlepool resident aged 19 or over, with a total of £4.5 million combined through this partnership to support adults in gaining qualifications free of charge. Whether you’re looking to upskill to progress in your current role, reskill to take a new career direction, or gain your first qualification to step onto the employment ladder, there are fantastic opportunities available. We’re excited about what we can achieve for the people of Hartlepool through this collaborative approach, working in partnership with Hartlepool Borough Council.”

Councillor Rob Darby, Chair of Hartlepool Borough Council’s Housing, Growth and Communities Committee, said: “This partnership reflects our shared ambition for Hartlepool residents to have access to the skills, training and support they need to overcome barriers to learning and to thrive. Working closely with Hartlepool College of Further Education and with the support of Tees Valley Combined Authority, we can help more people gain the confidence, qualifications and opportunities needed to improve their employment prospects and achieve their goals.”

Honi Lees, Business Solutions Manager at Tees Valley Combined Authority, said: “This partnership is helping ensure local people have access to the skills and qualifications they need to succeed in work and take advantage of the exciting employment opportunities being created across Hartlepool and the wider Tees Valley. By bringing together Hartlepool Borough Council and Hartlepool College, we are making the most of the Adult Skills Fund investment to reach more residents, support them in developing new skills and qualifications, and help meet the needs of local employers. This collaborative approach will help more people progress into work, advance their careers and contribute to economic growth across the region.”

To learn more about the free qualifications and training available, contact our Employer Services team on 01429 857199 or email employerservices@hartlepoolfe.ac.uk 

You can also contact Hartlepool Borough Council’s Jobs and Skills Team on 01429 868616, email jobs.skills@hartlepool.gov.uk or visit your local Hartlepool Community Hub.