Back on Track provide education for adults who have experienced a period of disruption in their lives due to substance misuse, involvement in the criminal justice system, homelessness or mental illness.

Back on Track provide education for adults who have experienced a period of disruption in their lives due to substance misuse, involvement in the criminal justice system, homelessness, mental illness, etc. so they can progress to mainstream education or voluntary or paid work. They run courses at their education centre in Swan Buildings, Swan Street, or in hostels, day centres, and Probation offices. Courses include basic skills such as literacy and numeracy, computers, art, as well as life skills such as cookery and personal finance.

Prospective students will be invited in for a one-to-one interview with a member of Back on Track to explore the goals they would like to achieve. If a suitable programme is identified and the student can commit to regular attendance, they can start immediately. All Back on Track students have a "named worker" whom they have regular contact with to facilitate their progress towards identified goals.

Back on Track also offer mentoring and advice and guidance sessions for people wishing to discuss their options around education, training or voluntary or paid work.

Students can be referred by a worker from another agency, or can contact Back on Track directly on 0161 832 4488 or visit http://www.backontrackmanchester.org.uk

Manchester Adult Education Service (MAES) offers a wide range of courses including basic Maths, and English including English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL).

MAES offers courses in basic Maths and English including English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL). They also provide a range of other courses covering most levels of learning from basic steps up to GCSE level. These courses include:

• Childcare
• Languages
• Health and Social Care
• Information and Communication Technology
• Visual and Performing Arts (including art and design, and photography)
• Family Learning (for parents and carers of children aged 0-16 years old)

When someone wishes to attend a course, they complete an application form. (For copies of an application form, please ring the number below.) The form asks for details about past learning and how easy or difficult the person finds it to learn. An assessor will then decide whether it is appropriate for them to attend the class. It may be that they need to attend a class at a different entry level. Below are the various levels of learning:

• Level 2 + = to 5 O'Levels
• Level 2 = to O'Level
• Level 1 }
• Entry 3 }
• Entry 2 } lower level qualifications
• Entry 1 }
• Pre entry }

MAES have 12 Adult Learning Centres (ALCs) across Manchester. They also deliver courses in 100+ venues such as family learning and parenting skills in schools.

For more information: http://www.manchester.gov.uk/info/200004/adult_and_community_education or call 0800 083 2121 for course enquiries.

These service is open to all Manchester residents aged 16 years and above. It offers informal one to one, non-accredited training.

These service is open to all Manchester residents aged 16 years and above. It offers informal one to one, non-accredited training. The sessions are held in most libraries across Manchester and subjects include:

• Getting to know your computer
• Internet and email
• Keyboard skills
• Introduction to MS Office packages
• CV presentations skills
• Online job searches

They also offer progression to MAES accredited ICT courses that are run in libraries.

Contact your local library for more information or visit www.manchester.gov.uk/libraries.

Offers further education, apprenticeships or employment to 16-18 year old who are disadvantaged, offenders or at risk of offending.

Nacro is a national organisation which works with disadvantaged people, offenders and those at risk of offending. It helps them change their lives and find positive alternatives to crime. Entry to Employment is for young people aged 16-18. It aims to prepare them to move into further education, apprenticeships or employment by offering training and qualifications in areas including literacy and numeracy, health and safety, equality and diversity and personal and social development. The training lasts approximately 19 weeks and provides young people with, amongst other things:

• opportunities to sample different work and learning contexts
• opportunities to gain practical skills in the following types of work: painting and decorating, sporting activities, cooking, arts and crafts, and lifeskills
• opportunities to gain qualifications in basic literacy, basic numeracy, health and safety, food hygiene, Asdan Sports and Fitness, Duke of Edinburgh.

Applications can be via Connexions or self referral.

For more information contact Nacro on 0161 274 3529 or visit their website www.nacro.org.uk

The purpose of the NLDC fund is to support local voluntary and community sector organisations to develop their capacity to deliver learning opportunities for residents of disadvantaged neighbourhoods. The aim of the fund is to build the skills levels of Manchester residents while complementing and providing progression routes to further learning and employment support. Low level first steps community based training is initially offered with residents before progressing to mainstream services such as MAES should they wish to. A number of providers across Manchester are delivering this provision.

For further information contact Jonathan Putt 0161 234 1506.

This is a free service for everyone aged 20 and over (or over 18 if referred from Jobcentre Plus). They offer information, advice and guidance around education and employment.

This is a free service for everyone aged 20 and over (or over 18 if referred from Jobcentre Plus). They offer information, advice and guidance around education and employment. Their website lists recruitment agency websites and job searches websites. It also contains an on-line toolbox to assist in writing CVs and job applications, finding courses, and checking whether applicants have the right skills for the job. In addition, a career browser is available which allows people to click on a career they are interested in. It then provides details on the skills and qualifications required for that role, on-site training offered, expected salary, work involved and typical hours. Alternatively, appointments can be made to see an adviser face to face.

For more information or to book an appointment with an advisor ring 0800 107 4060 or visit www.nextstepgreatermanchester.org.uk

This programme aims to support unemployed young people aged between 18 to 30.

This programme aims to support unemployed young people aged between 18 to 30 who fall within one of the four targets of The Prince's Trust:

• Offenders / ex-offenders
• Care leavers
• Educational underachievers
• Long term unemployed (6-12 months)

The project helps young people look at self employment as a possible option. Each young person is given the opportunity to attend an Information Session and a four-day Exploring Enterprise course. The course looks at the various aspects of starting a business, including sales, marketing, tax / VAT and also personal money management.

Those who fail to complete the course or who complete the course but decide that self employment is not an option will be offered a Progression Mentor. The Progression Mentor will help them look at other options such as employment, education and training. They can also return to the programme within 12 months.

Those who complete the course will be linked with a Programme Executive to assist them in the preparation of their business plan and funding application. They will also be linked in with a Business Mentor. The programme can also offer financial support in the form of grants or loans:

• Will it Work Grants - one off grants up to £150 that can be used for market research during the business planning stage.
• Start Up Grants - grants up to £750 for clients whose start up costs are minimal and have poor credit history.
• Start Up Loans - up to a maximum of £2,100 based on the agreed start up funding required within the business plan. It is repayable over a three year period with a flat interest rate of 3%.

Clients who start their own business are linked with their Mentor for a minimum of two years. They also have access to a wide range of free or discounted services provided by the Prince's Trust.

For more information ring 0161 874 7380 or visit the website www.princes-trust.org.uk.