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Level 1 Employability and Personal Development Course in Darlington

CostFREE
Duration34 weeks
LevelLevel 1
DeliveryClassroom based
Start1 Sep 2026
Study modeFull-time
AttendanceDaytime
Awarding bodyNOCN awarding body
Apply now →

About this course

Free Level 1 Skills for Employment, Training and Personal Development Course in Darlington. Classes run at Darlington College, full-time during the day. This skills for employment, training and personal development qualification introduces you to the world of work and study over 34 weeks. You'll build practical knowledge across employment, personal development, and training skills. There are no specific entry requirements. Depending on the credits you complete, you can earn an Award, Certificate, or Diploma.

Who this course is for

Vocational Foundations is a Level 1 qualification where students work towards:

NOCN Level 1 Award in Skills for Employment, Training and Personal Development (by gaining 6 credits)

NOCN Level 1 Certificate in Skills for Employment, Training and Personal Development (by gaining 18 credits)

NOCN Level 1 Diploma in Skills for Employment, Training and Personal Development (by gaining 27 credits)

The main focus of Vocational Foundations is designed to provide an introduction to working in the following sectors: Business and Administration, Catering, Construction, Hair and Beauty, Health and Social Care, Motor Vehicle Maintenance and Sport and Leisure as well as more generic employability skills designed to build confidence for the workplace. The qualifications also contain units to address learners’ needs in Literacy and Numeracy as well as Personal Development areas. Learners will gain an overview of key skills and areas of knowledge in order to inform further study and/or employment choices in a variety of sectors.

Entry requirements

There are no specific entry requirements but you will need to have a positive attitude towards studying.

What you will learn

  • You'll develop skills for finding and keeping employment.
  • You'll learn how to plan your own learning and personal development.
  • You'll explore what employers expect in the workplace.
  • You'll practise communication and teamwork skills relevant to work.
  • You'll build an understanding of health, safety, and wellbeing at work.
  • You'll learn how to set goals and review your own progress.

How you will learn

You'll learn through classroom-based sessions at Darlington College. Learning is assessed through coursework, practical tasks, and portfolio evidence. You build credits as you complete units, which determines whether you achieve the Award, Certificate, or Diploma. There are no exams. Your tutor will support you throughout and help you track your progress toward your chosen credit target.

What you will need to bring

The centre will provide most materials. Darlington College will confirm anything else you need before you start.

Where next

Jobs you could do

  • Care assistant: entry-level support role in residential or home care.
  • Teaching assistant: supporting learning in schools or colleges.
  • Retail assistant: customer-facing work in shops and stores.
  • Warehouse operative: stock handling and logistics roles.
  • Receptionist: front-of-house and administrative support.
  • Community support worker: helping people in local services.
  • Hospitality assistant: food service, hotels, and events work.

What you could study next

  • NOCN Level 1 Certificate or Diploma in Skills for Employment, Training and Personal Development: gain more credits to move up within the same qualification framework.
  • Level 2 Diploma in Care: a strong next step if you want to work in adult social care.
  • Level 2 Functional Skills in English and Maths: strengthens your CV and meets employer requirements across most sectors.
  • Level 2 vocational qualifications in your chosen area, such as business administration, health and social care, or customer service.
Apply on darlington.ac.uk →
Apply now →

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