Despite all the restrictions we are living with, there are lots of training and learning opportunities that are available for free. It’s also something that furloughed staff are allowed to do.
We have pulled together a varied list of courses that we hope will appeal to lots of staff. Some have already been identified on the training plan, but others focus on the current situation for example helping with home schooling, a chance to spend a little bit more time getting to grips with IT or developing ways to maintain good mental health. Many of the short courses allow us to learn in short chunks so that they can be fitted around all our other responsibilities.
If you are not quite convinced, take a look at the Talking About Training page where three members of staff open up about their own experiences. Emma, a “self-confessed marine obsessive” has been brushing up her skills and knowledge, Zena has overcome her maths nemesis (fractions) so she can help her children with their schoolwork and Philip freely admits that whilst there is lots that he knows, there is even more that he doesn’t.
Suggested free online training courses
We have picked the courses and organisations below as they have very simple sign up systems, you just need an email address to create an account. You can log in when you want and work through the course at your own speed.
We are keen to know what courses you are interested in, so please let your manager know which courses you have signed up to and keep a record of how long you spend on the course. When you have finished, we would like to have a copy of your certificate. There will be more opportunities to come. If you have suggestions, please speak with your line manager or contact [email protected].
Improve your Digital Skill. Learn My Way has free courses for you to learn digital skills to stay safe and connected.
Improve your everyday Maths and English. The Open Learn courses are designed to help improve your current maths and English skills and help you to remember any areas that you may have forgotten.
Improve your mentoring (Recommended for Verifiers). Improve your mentoring from Open Learn encourage teachers to consider how you can work effectively together to create an environment where student teachers can critically reflect on their experiences in a structured way.
Communication. Effective Communication in the workplace explores the importance of communication as a skill in the workplace. It aims to increase your understanding of communication skills and to help you to consider how your communication could be perceived by others.
Leadership and Management. Leadership Challenges in turbulent times. The course helps you understand and explain how leadership changes in accordance to need, explores the leadership challenges that can affect effectiveness and ways to face these challenges.
For those who did the recent The Institute of Leadership and Management, course, there are over 40 free modules to access. You will have received emails with more information.
Make Every Contact Count (MECC). MECC enables the delivery of consistent and concise health and wellbeing information and encourages individuals to engage in conversations about their health at scale across organisations and populations. It recognises that staff across health and care, local authority and voluntary sectors have thousands of contacts every day with individuals and are ideally placed to support health and wellbeing.
Learn Welsh (Recommended for all staff in Welsh Centres). You can start learning Welsh in these online courses. The courses introduce everyday words and phrases and are available to everyone, for free. To sign up, you must: