Hartlepool residents aged 19 and over will be able to access a broad programme of free courses after a new partnership between Hartlepool Council and Hartlepool College of Further Education secured a £4.5 million investment from the Tees Valley Combined Authority.
Scope and aims of the programme
The funding will support a range of part-time and full-time learning routes running through to the end of July 2027. The offer is designed to help adults take their first steps into employment, progress in work or retrain for a different career, while aligning training to the needs of local employers.
Courses available cover basic and vocational skills, with a clear progression pathway from pre-entry level up to Level 3. The council and college say the programme intends to remove barriers to learning and improve local employment prospects.
Subjects on offer
A wide variety of subjects have been listed as part of the partnership. Examples given include:
- English and maths
- Digital skills
- Leadership and management
- Bricklaying and welding
- Health and social care
- Accounting and childcare
- Women’s hairdressing and airline cabin crew training
- Personal training
Hartlepool College, which works with more than 300 employers, will deliver the majority of the provision.
“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,”
said Councillor Rob Darby, chair of Hartlepool Council’s housing, growth and communities committee.
What this means for learners and employers
The funded programme is aimed at adults seeking to enter the workforce or change career direction. Employers may also benefit because the curriculum is intended to match local labour market needs and boost the pool of qualified candidates.
| Type of provision | Examples |
|---|---|
| Basic skills | English, maths, digital skills |
| Vocational and trades | Bricklaying, welding, health and social care |
| Career-specific | Accounting, childcare, airline cabin crew, personal training |
Courses will be a mixture of full-time and part-time options, offering a clear learning journey from entry-level up to Level 3 qualifications. The partners say the programme aims to build a stronger local workforce and support economic growth across the borough.
How to find out more
The council and college have emphasised that the programme is targeted at adults aged 19 and over and will run until July next year. Residents interested in taking up learning opportunities are encouraged to contact Hartlepool College of Further Education or Hartlepool Council for details of course start dates, eligibility criteria and enrolment processes.
This funding injection forms part of wider efforts across the Tees Valley to improve adult skills and employability, and to ensure training provision aligns with the priorities of employers in the region.
