The Brandwood Centre is excited to announce that it has secured funding from the European Social Fund (ESF) to continue the successful Train-to-Gain Scheme offering accredited training, 1-2-1 employment coaching and CV support, and volunteering opportunities.

Our services are free and open to anyone aged 19 or over who is currently unemployed/ economically inactive and living in Birmingham or Solihull. By providing these services we aim to raise confidence, skills and knowledge and increase employability prospects.

Please read on for more details of our services – you’ll find the enquiry form at the end of the page.

If you live in Birmingham or Soliholl, and are unemployed or inactive and aged 19 or over, take a look at what’s on offer below. You never know where it could take you!

 Basic Skills

Do you need help to improve your English, Maths, or IT Skills?  We offer free online courses that you can complete at your own pace to gain qualifications in these skills which can be essential to securing a job.

Accredited Courses

All our training courses are provided by our Delivery partners (at the Brandwood Centre where possible) and lead to externally accredited qualifications in the relevant area.

CIEH Level 1 Introductory Food Safety for Catering (1 day)

Wednesday 24th February 9:30am – 2:30pm

Level 1 Award in Enterprise Skills (5 days)

Starting Friday 5^th March 9.30am – 2.30pm for 5 weeks (on Fridays)

QUALSAFE Level 3 Mental Health First Aid in the Workplace (2 days)

Wednesday 10^th March & Wednesday 17^th March 9:00am – 5:30pm

CIEH Introductory Certificate in Occupational Health & Safety (1 day)

Wednesday 24^th March 9:30am – 2:30pm

QUALSAFE Level 2 Safeguarding Children & Young People (1 day)

Friday 26^th March 9:30am – 5:00pm

QUALSAFE Level 3 Emergency First Aid at Work (1 day)

Wednesday 31^st March 9:30am – 4:30pm

Personal Development Workshops

Our personal development workshops are bitesize courses which introduce key concepts across a range of topics.  Each session is delivered online using Zoom, and is scheduled to last 2 hours. Some courses are delivered in two parts, and will have two sessions, usually on consecutive weeks. These sessions can be taken indiviudally, or will contribute towards a Level 1 Award in Passport to Enterprise and Employment qualification. 

Finding your perfect placement – Voluntary Work

Tuesday 2^nd March 12:30pm – 2:30pm

Safeguarding (Part 1 & 2)

Tuesday 2^nd & Tuesday 9^th March 7:00pm – 9:00pm

Healthy Eating and Drinking (Part 1 & 2)

Tuesday 9^th & Tuesday 16^th March 9:30am – 11:30am

Stress and Stress Management

Tuesday 9^th March 12:30pm – 2:30pm

Self-belief and Assertiveness

Tuesday 16^th March 12:30pm – 2:30pm

Individual Motivation

Tuesday 16^th March 7:00pm – 9:00pm

Coping with Change ** (TBC)

Tuesday 23^rd March TBC

Careers Advice, Information and Guidance

1-2-1 Career and Employment Coaching

Is it time for a career change? Or perhaps you just need some support with finding work?

Our friendly Employment Engagement Office Jojo is here to help!  She can off you bespoke careers guidance, helping you to identify your skills and passions to guide you with finding your perfect job!

 CV Support

Are you looking for advice on updating your CV? We can help you create an up-to-date CV that you can be proud of. Please complete the contact form below and a member of our team will be in touch to arrange an appointment.

 Wellbeing for Employment / Skills for Enterprise

Are you ready to look for work? Our new well-being for work programme is the perfect combination of short courses to help focus your mindset on seeking employment. 2020 has been a stressful time for everyone and this course will help you to manage your stress levels and protect your Mental Health while you focus on making the New Year all about you and your future career goals.

Gain two accredited qualifications and some expert advice to help guide you through the recruitment process and back into the world of work.

Our Skills for Enterprise Course will help budding Entrepreneurs to establish the skills they need to start and manage their own business. This Course will run online each Friday, starting 5th March, and live Zoom sessions with a certified trainer are supported by coursework and workbooks which contribute towards the Level 1 Award.

Level 1 Award in Enterprise Skills (5 days)

Starting Friday 5^th March 9.30am – 2.30pm for 5 weeks (on Fridays)

  Volunteering Opportunities

Looking for hands on practical skills to make your CV stand out to employers? The Brandwood Centre offers 12 week volunteering opportunities. Apply for roles such as a Marketing and PR Advisor, Assistant Administrator, Work Placement Coordinator, Course Mentor, Data Inputter or General Assistant.

For more information, please call 0121 443 3310 or to apply please complete the Contact Form below.

  Complementary Services

As a participant on our Train-to-Gain scheme you will be able to access other services such as tailored benefit and debt advice, pre-recorded finance workshops, travel assistance and childcare support.

Contact Form

If you’d like to apply for any of the courses or services offered through the Train-to-Gain scheme, please complete the contact form below.