Delivered by Workforce Adult Skills – Part of South Essex Colleges Group
If you are unemployed or on a low income, access the iLearn Health & Social Care three week classroom-based pre-employment training programme that integrates an iPrep course—focused on essential workplace skills—with sector-specific training designed to prepare participants for a career in the health and social care industry.
2025/2026 Pre-Employment Programme Dates
This course gives participants the opportunity to achieve the following qualifications:
- OCNLR L1 Award in Developing Confidence & Self Awareness
- OCNLR L1 Award in Skills for Professions in Health & Social Care
- VTCT Skills L2 Award in Safeguarding Principles
- VTCT Skills L1 Award in Equality & Diversity
- NCFE L2 Certificate in Mental Health First Aid
- Highfield L1 Certificate in Personal Development for Employability
- OCNLR L1 Award in Personal & Interpersonal Conflict
- VTCT Skills L1 Award in Customer Service
- VTCT Skills L1 Certificate in Ways to Maintain Mental Well-Being at Work
Three weeks in total delivered as follows:
Weeks 1 & 2 – Monday to Thursday 10:00 – 16:00.
These weeks are on offer at Southend, Basildon or Thurrock (addresses below)
Week 3 – Monday 10.00 – 17.00 to Thursday at Thurrock College
Venue Addresses
Southend City College – Luker Road, Southend-on-Sea, SS1 1ND
Basildon College – College Way, Basildon, SS14 1GP
Thurrock College – High Street, Grays, RM17 6TF
This course is FREE to those who were over 19 on 31/08/2025, are unemployed, resident in England and in receipt of Universal Credit or similar benefits. It is also FREE to those who were over the age of 19 on 31/08/2025 and are earning under £25,000 per year (you will need to provide us with evidence of your income in order to qualify to take a course for free)
Participation in this course requires the successful completion of a basic English assessment. This assessment is essential not only to meet awarding body and funding requirements but also to ensure you have the necessary language skills to complete the written components of the programme. If you do not meet the required standard, we can refer you to South Essex College’s English department, who may be able to offer funded lessons to support the development of your English skills.
Candidates must provide one of the following forms of identification:
- Valid in-date passport (any nationality)
- Signed in-date UK photocard driving licence
- UK biometric residence permit card
- Birth certificate (BUT, if a birth certificate is presented as proof of identification, an additional form of identification such as a signed bank card, utility bill or a letter issued by a government department must also be provided).
We regret that we cannot provide iLearn courses for free to individuals who reside in the following combined authorities: Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, Greater Manchester, Liverpool City, North of Tyne, South Yorkshire, Tees Valley, West Midlands, West Yorkshire and West of England.
Achieving the large number of qualifications offered on this course requires a high level of dedication and commitment. As such, full attendance at all classroom sessions is mandatory, and all coursework must be completed to ensure successful completion of the
programme objectives.
We recommend you set aside 1-3 hours per day for homework to ensure you meet the course deadlines. Lateness or requests to leave early may result in
your place on the course being withdrawn.
If you have any questions about the course or would like to register to attend this programme, please contact the Employability Advisors at South Essex College who will be happy to talk to you and give advice if required.
They can be contacted on 01702 220409 Monday to Thursday 08.30 – 16.30 or by emailing [email protected]