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

This is a mentoring service to support BME, refugee and asylum seeking residents needing to improve their English language skills with a view to increasing their employability and entry to relevant training. The project is based in Moss Side and is open to 16 year old plus. Services include job searches, application and interview skills, access to information, advice and guidance, and vocationally specific mentoring.

For more information contact Sarah Fyfe on 0161 226 6722 or email sarah.fyfe@barnardos.org.uk.

Blue Orchid offer free training courses to up-skill people who are unemployed or facing redundancy to help them get a job.

Blue Orchid offer free training courses to up-skill people who are unemployed or facing redundancy to help them get a job.

For more information ring 0161 485 4949 or visit www.theblueorchid.co.uk

Connexions is a careers and advice service for young people aged 13 to 19, and up to 25 for young people with learning difficulties and disabilities.

Connexions is a careers and advice service for young people aged 13 to 19, and up to 25 for young people with learning difficulties and disabilities. Advice can be obtained through the website or from a Personal Advisor in one of the Connexions Centres. They provide advice around education, including further and higher education. For more information about Connexions ring 084567 132 19 or visit their website www.gmconnexions.co.uk.

This project targets specific groups such as lone parents with children under 7 who are on Income Support and are not required to access mainstream services. It engages them through Children's Centres.

For more information contact Carolyn Siddal 0161 636 7540.

FAST supports the development and progression of disabled people and people from ethnic minority communities, into mainstream provision, learning and employment.

FAST supports the development and progression of disabled people and people from ethnic minority communities, into mainstream provision, learning and employment. FAST is a job broker under the New Deal for Disabled people (NDDP) initiative and also offers training through Learn Direct and ONCW courses.

For more information ring 0161 740 3399.

This is a national service for single parents with offices based throughout the country. The Manchester branch is based at the Windrush Millennium Centre, 70 Alexandra Road, Moss Side.

The service offers:

• Information, advice and guidance
• Pre recruitment training which covers job searches and applications, interview skills and overcoming barriers to work
• Vocational training
• Work placements
• A personal development programme
• Accredited basic IT course
• A confidence building and goal setting course

For more information contact Carolyn Siddall or Batir Ali on 0161 636 7564 or visit the national website at www.gingerbread.org.uk.

Multi Cultural Learning and Resource Centre, supporting the South Manchester community with learning opportunities, careers guidance and personal support.

Inspired Sisters is a multi-cultural learning and resource centre supporting the South Manchester community. They help users overcome the barriers they face through a range of learning opportunities, careers guidance and personal support. This empowers the users by helping them to both build confidence and encourage social interaction.

Their approach is to combine education and social interaction for women through a range of opportunities such as:

• Coffee mornings
• Careers and job conventions
• Community gardening days
• Discussion forums
• Awareness days on health, domestic abuse, employment, beauty, safety
• Days out / trips
• Food tasting sessions

For more information visit www.inspiredsisters.org or ring 0161 224 9090.

This is an information resource which puts people who want to learn together with people who want to teach.

This is an information resource which puts people who want to learn together with people who want to teach. Teachers register their details online providing information about their lessons, qualifications offered and the format they teach such as one to ones or workshops. Potential pupils then find a tutor by subject and location. They then contact the teacher and arrange to meet.

For information about courses offered in Manchester visit www.schoolofeverything.com/explore/manchester

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.

This initiative offers a two week pre recruitment training course to assist people to apply for vacancies with a variety of employers at Manchester Airport.

This initiative offers a two week pre recruitment training course (delivered at Wythenshawe Forum) to assist people to apply for vacancies with a variety of employers at Manchester Airport. An interview is guaranteed upon completion of the course. To be eligible residents must:

• Be unemployed
• Have a 5 year checkable work history
• Be able to travel to the airport in unsocial hours
• Be able to work shifts
• Not have any unspent convictions from a disqualifying list

For more information ring Maggie Unwin on 0161 489 3907 or email Maggie.unwin@manairport.co.uk.

Manchester College provide learning and training for residents of Manchester, offering a wide range of qualifications.

Manchester College provide learning and training for residents of Manchester. They offer a wide range of qualifications including NVQs, Certificates, A Levels, Diplomas, Foundation Degrees, HNCs and short courses. Courses include:

• Computers
• Literacy
• Painting
• Panel Technician
• Electrical
• Automotive Studies (car mechanics)
• Brickwork
• Carpentry and Joinery
• Plastering
• Construction
• Tiling
• Retail

They also provide student support on each campus offering advice, information and guidance on:

• Careers
• Financial support
• Childcare
• Health and well being

In addition, they offer work focused training for people wishing to update their skills or learn new ones:

• Start afresh courses
• Basic Office Skills
• Call Centre Operations
• Childcare
• Cleaning and Support Services
• Customer Care
• Food Preparation
• Health and Social Care
• Retail
• SAGE Accounting
• SIA Door Security
• Wall and Floor Tiling
• Brush up courses
• ATA Accreditation
• Carpentry and Joinery
• Construction Groundworks
• Construction Health and Safety for CSCS
• CPC Driver Training
• IEE Wiring Requirements and Regulations
• Portable Appliance Testing
• Inspection, Testing and Certification of Electrical Installations
• Vehicle Maintenance and Repair

Courses take place across Manchester including Moston, Harpurhey, Crumpsall, City Centre, Wythenshawe, Didsbury, and Openshaw.

For more information ring 0800 068 8585 or visit www.themanchestercollege.ac.uk

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.

This project provides a money advice service for residents across Manchester.

This project provides a money advice service for residents across Manchester. This includes advice around credit, personal budgeting, bank accounts and household bills.

For more information ring 0161 230 2100 or Money Matters on 0161 223 1155.

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

People's Voice Media are a community development organisation that supports communities to have a voice. They empower individuals and groups to tell their own stories and develop their own solutions. They work to increase the confidence of individuals, and support learners to progress onto further education and training or employment.

They also provide training both in their offices and community centres, offering:

• ICT drop in
• Specialist media activity including community radio
• The Community Reporting programme

In addition, People's Voices Media run an employment agency which:

• Supports people in developing their skills in order to meet the minimum entry level for the Employment Agency
• Offers paid employment to Community Reporters who are eligible for undertaking freelance work
• Can arrange work shadowing placements and work experience opportunities
• Organises apprenticeships and internships

For more information visit www.peoplesvoicemedia.co.uk or email enquiries@peoplesvoicemedia.co.uk or call 0161 230 1430

Skills Solutions offer a number of training options for both young people and adults:

Entry to Employment (e4e) - for young people aged 16-18 who are not in education, employment and training. Areas of learning include basic and key skills, vocational training, and personal and social development. Attendance will vary from 16 hours to 40 hours depending on learning capacity, aspirations, needs and progression choices. Completion should allow the young person to progress onto an apprenticeship, further education or a job. Learners can apply for an Attendance Maintenance Allowance (EMA) of £30 per week.

For more information ring 0161 233 2656 or text 0780 000 3241 and they will call you back.

Apprenticeships - these combine on the job training with training at learning centres. They allow people to earn whilst they learn. They are designed for people who want to develop skills but not necessarily go to college fulltime. People work towards an NVQ. Apprenticeships are offered in accountancy, business administration, constructions, engineering, hairdressing and barbering, health and social care, IT, management, manufacturing and motor vehicles.

For more information ring 0161 233 2656 or text 0780 000 3241 and they will call you back.

Higher Skills - for people who are already in work and who are looking to develop their career. Learners can chose to study full time or part time. Qualifications include NVQs, Advanced Apprenticeships, Professional apprenticeships, Foundation Degrees and Part Time Honours Degree.

For more information ring 0800 107 4060 or visit www.skills-solutions.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.

Train to Gain is a national skills service. It supports employers of all sizes in all sectors to improve the skills of their employees as a route to improving their business performance.

Train to Gain is a national skills service. It supports employers of all sizes in all sectors to improve the skills of their employees as a route to improving their business performance. A Skills Advisor can provide advice around skills and training, identify courses and create a package tailored to individual businesses. They can also find local trainers and assist in accessing funding. In addition, funding is available for the first full Level 2 qualification (equivalent to 5 GCSEs) and apprenticeships, and a contribution is available for Level 3 qualifications.

For more information visit www.traintogain.gov.uk.