Economic Solutions

Advanced Apprenticeships - Higher Skills

We specialise in supporting people who seek an alternative to full-time education; offering them a chance at real career success without following the traditional higher-education route. Our learners are able to get a real paid job and work towards a nationally-recognised qualification - all at the same time.

By working in partnership with local Universities, we are able to offer an ever expanding range of courses, covering a wide variety of subjects. Learners can choose to study full time or part time for qualifications including NVQs, Apprenticeships, Advanced and Professional Apprenticeships, Foundation Degrees and Part-Time Honours Degrees.

Developing and improving courses

As our Higher Education portfolio has expanded we have developed exciting new short courses, including our "Step-In to HE " programme, which helps learners to make the transition into higher-level study.

We have also developed a suite of programmes in Leadership and Management, which are delivered entirely in the workplace with the support of a Skills Solutions personal tutor. These courses are franchised from our partner universities in Bolton and Derby and lead to a variety of qualifications. Some learners opt to complete short courses e.g. Certificate of Operational Leadership and Management or Communications at Work, while others build up their qualifications towards the achievement of a Diploma or Advanced Diploma in Management, or even a full Honours Degree.

In addition to the above HE courses, Skills Solutions continue to offer NVQs in Management and Learning and Development at Levels 3 and 4, and a recent addition to the suite of qualifications includes the teacher training modules, validated by the University of Bolton.

What can Skills Solutions offer employers?

We pride ourselves on having close links with local employers and work hard to ensure that we are able to advise and assist learners in gaining employment in a role which will challenge and inspire them. We recognise that every learner is individual and believe in offering our students more than just academic qualifications. We provide support for students during their course, and specialized advice and guidance to help them to choose the career progression route that's right for them.

Skills Solutions' higher skills programmes are designed to address the needs of companies who have higher-level skills requirements for their staff.  Funding support is available for some of the programmes offered and individual learner grants are also available for university approved courses. 

Skills Solutions can also help businesses to recruit high calibre young people to the apprenticeship programmes at no cost to the employer.  Organisational benefits include:

  • Flexible learning programmes that directly relate to the real development needs of your business
  • Reduced recruitment and training costs
  • Greater competitiveness through development of the higher skills today's businesses need

  • Improved productivity and efficiency through motivating and retaining existing staff.

Education Qualifications

  • Learning & Development NVQ Level 3
  • Management of Learning & Development Provision NVQ Level 4
  • Learning & Development NVQ Level 4
  • Co-ordination of Learning & Development Provision NVQ Level 4
  • A1 Assessor Award
  • Introduction to Teaching and Learning (part 1) Level 4
  • Introduction to Teaching and Learning (part 2) Level 4

PART-TIME COURSES - Foundation Degrees

  • Foundation Degree in Early Years
  • Foundation Degree in Hairdressing and Salon Management
  • Foundation Degree in Management

  • Step-In to HE

PART-TIME COURSES - Management Qualifications

  • Team Leading NVQ Level 2
  • Management NVQ Level 3
  • Management NVQ Level 4
  • Apprenticeship in Team Leading
  • Advanced Apprenticeship in Management
  • Professional Apprenticeship in Management
  • Foundation Degree in Management
  • Continuous Professional Development in
  • Creative Leadership & Management
  • Certificate of Achievement in Operational
  • Leadership and Management

FULL-TIME SHORT COURSES

Advice and Guidance

A number of the courses offered under the Part-Time section can also be studied full time.For details on the courses below, please see the relevant pages.For further information please contact us.

  • Introduction to Teaching and Learning (part 1) Level 4
  • Introduction to Teaching and Learning (part 2) Level 4

  • Step-In to HE

How do I apply or get more information?

For further details please phone the Higher Skills Team on 0161 245 4974 or e-mail higherskills@skills-solutions.org.uk. 

The Higher Skills Team comprises experienced Higher Education lecturers and trainers who have a proven track record in helping learners and employers bridge the gap between university and the world of work.