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Free Entry Level Vocational Studies Course in Southend-on-Sea

CostFREE
Duration12 months
LevelEntry Level
DeliveryClassroom based
Start1 Sep 2026
Study modeFull-time
AttendanceDaytime
Awarding bodyGateway Qualifications awarding body
Apply now →

About this course

Free Entry Level Vocational Studies Course in Southend-on-Sea. Classes run at South Essex College Southend Campus. This full-time daytime course runs for one year and covers employability skills, maths, and English. You'll also take taster sessions in areas such as hair and beauty, sport, health and social care, catering, childcare, and more, helping you work out which direction suits you. To join, you'll need to show you can work at Entry Level 3 in maths or English, or hold a GCSE grade 1, and attend a transition event.

Who this course is for

An entry level course that will support you in developing the under pinning skills to be able to progress to further studies.

This course consists of employability skills, maths and English.

You will also be completing taster sessions within other areas of the college that will support your career choices at the end of the year. This can include* :

Hair and Beauty Sport Public Services Catering and hospitality Travel and Tourism Business Health and Social Care Art and Design Media Childcare

If you are looking for a starting point within your further education journey this course will give you the basic skills you need and a starting point to a variety of course options. *Subject to change

Entry requirements

Demonstrate the ability to work at Entry level 3 in Maths or English or GCSE grade 1 Successful attendance at transition event

What you will learn

  • You'll develop skills for employment, including interview technique and career planning.
  • You'll practise working in a team and communicating in group discussions.
  • You'll build reading, listening, and speaking skills in English.
  • You'll explore digital marketing as a practical workplace skill.
  • You'll learn about young people, law, and order.
  • You'll take taster sessions in areas such as sport, catering, health and social care, art and design, and childcare.
  • You'll identify which Level 1 course or vocational area you want to move into next.

How you will learn

You'll learn in a classroom at South Essex College Southend Campus, with full-time daytime attendance across the year. Assessment is through written assignments and practical assessments. Taster sessions in different subject areas are built into the course structure alongside your core employability, maths, and English work.

What you will need to bring

The centre will provide most materials. South Essex College Southend Campus will confirm anything else you need before you start.

Where next

Jobs you could do

This is a foundation course. It prepares you to move into vocational training rather than directly into employment. The taster sessions are designed to help you find the right next step.

  • Care assistant: entry point to health and social care roles
  • Catering assistant: kitchen and hospitality support work
  • Childcare worker: supporting children in nursery or school settings
  • Sports coach assistant: helping run community or school sports sessions
  • Hair and beauty junior: salon support and training roles
  • Business admin assistant: office and administrative support roles

What you could study next

After completing this course, you can move on to a Level 1 qualification in the vocational area that suits you. Options at South Essex College Southend Campus include Level 1 courses in health and social care, catering and hospitality, childcare, sport, hair and beauty, and business. A Level 1 qualification then opens the door to Level 2 study, which is where most vocational training for employment begins.

Apply on southessex.ac.uk →
Apply now →

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