For Anne Regan, Croydon Adult Learning and Training (CALAT) has been a place to broaden her horizons. She is one of thousands of people who have embraced what it has to offer and discovered the difference adult education can make to their lives.
After completing Spanish lessons, she is now taking a digital skills course and is excited to see where it takes her.
She said: “It’s more than just a place to learn, it’s a place of growth, community and endless possibilities. I wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone looking to expand their horizons, regardless of age!”
It provides courses in a range of subjects, such as digital skills, photography, childcare, adult care, Italian, French, bookkeeping and accounting including AAT qualifications, English and Maths at GCSE level and English for Other Languages (ESOL).
Anne has previously learned Spanish with CALAT and after holidaying in a region of Spain where English was hardly spoken, she felt a real desire to communicate with the locals in their native language.
“This led me back to CALAT for additional Spanish lessons,” she said. “Starting again was exciting for me; it meant reinforcing what I already knew and then building on it.
“Despite using two hearing aids, which made class conversations and listening exercises on the computer challenging, our tutor created a really supportive environment where I felt comfortable and capable.
Gain skills and confidence
Whatever your reasons for wanting to take a course, CALAT’s friendly and highly experienced and knowledgeable staff are here to help.
There is further support for those facing particular challenges through Learning and Learning Support Funds. The qualified team will assess your needs and help you access the support you need to participate fully in your learning and succeed in achieving your goals.
CALAT also collaborates with companies and employers to provide training aimed at raising the skills level of employees and developing the workforce.
If you think CALAT can help with internal training for your company or you want help training potential employees so they’re ready to hit the ground running, the team will be happy to talk to you about options.
CALAT works very closely with the employment service Croydon Works and regularly makes its students aware of the vacancies available to them as well as the courses run specifically on behalf of employers.
Adults who have a learning disability or difficulty and want to either live independently and/or get into work can enter Independent Living courses where they learn about things like preparing nutritious meals and the basics of budgeting, and those on ESOL courses learn learn how to join local libraries and Book doctor’s appointments
For families, Skills for Life programs are designed to improve adults’ reading, language and numeracy skills and are free to eligible parents and families. The support is tailored to deal with issues such as challenging behavior and bullying, to promote mindfulness and good mental health among young people.
Face-to-face courses run on premises and its three main sites: Clockwork Tower in central Croydon, Strand House in Thornton Heath and New Addington Library. Some online courses are also available.
Classes are held throughout the week, including evenings and weekends, giving students flexible study options to accommodate their work and family schedules.
How to register
CALAT expects to welcome around 3,000 students to one of its courses in the next academic year. The training provider accepts applications throughout the year and is now accepting applications for courses starting in September 2024.
