Adult

Adult education remains a fundamental a part of further education as ever, with 1 million adults studying or training in colleges in England in 2021/2022. Adult education drives improvements to social mobility and tackles issues such as skills shortages in the workforce. Retraining and upskilling adults is of vital importance to the economy of our region.

Barnsley College

We offer a wide range of course for adults, whether they’d like to upskill to change career, get the qualifications they may have missed out on at school or college, or simply want to get creative and learn a new skill. From functional skills and GCSEs, hobby courses and Access to HE, to degrees and HNC/Ds, we offer a course to suit everyone, and the support students need to achieve their aims. There are a range of funding options available, and some courses are free depending on the previous qualifications students hold.

Find out more about Adult at Barnsley College

Communication Specialist College

Managed by Doncaster Deaf Trust, Aspire to Be is a specialist employability and skills service that supports adults into employment. The service specialises in working with those who are Deaf, Hearing Impaired, have Communication Difficulties, Autism, Learning Disabilities or Mental Health needs. The service covers the whole of the South Yorkshire region and has a national reputation for providing excellent results on employment programmes.

Aspire to Be benefits from an experienced and dedicated team who can offer service users bespoke individualised plans that lead directly to employment. The team works to look at the ability of service users in setting goals, building confidence and identifying employment opportunities. The service works directly with several national employers who have set up simulated work environments on site to prepare service users for transition into workplaces.

The aim of the service is to develop a range of skills that enable employment, independence and mindset change to build on personal qualities and skills. Sessions incorporate:

  • Sector based learning using job carving
  • Work experience, work trials and volunteering
  • In work support to aid
  • Job search, CV writing, application form support, interview techniques and mock interviews
  • Confidence building and goal setting focused on employment
  • Health and well-being

The service works in partnership with various agencies to support people into employment and to sustain employment for people who have additional needs.

Find out more about Adult at Communication Specialist College

DN Colleges Group

At DN Colleges Group, we offer a range of adult education courses across GCSEs, A Levels, further education, vocational qualifications, higher education and industry-related short courses. We welcome students of all ages and backgrounds and offer a supportive, inclusive environment for those returning to education.

We also work with local employers to provide short courses and qualifications to upskill staff, including workplace training.

Find out more about Adult at DN Colleges Group

Northern College

At Northern College, there is a place for every adult. We are passionate about providing education for all adults regardless of their previous educational experience or level, and no matter what their background. We treat everyone as an individual and will help you with a range of support, whether you decide to be a residential or non-residential student.

We are a small college but have over 4,000 student registrations a year. People come to us from many different backgrounds. They are men and women of all ages from 19 to 90, often with families and many familiar with unemployment or part-time, low paid jobs.

But what they nearly all have in common is their determination to secure the education, qualifications and opportunities they have previously been denied. They wish to take control of their lives and change them for the better.

We offer a curriculum which starts from where students are, building on the experience of life and work that they bring with them, providing opportunities to acquire the new knowledge, skills and fresh understanding that are so important if people are to meet the demands made upon them.

Find out more about Adult at Northern College

RNN Group

The RNN Group offer a range of learning options for adult learners, including: ESOL, Access to HE, GCSE, vocational study, apprenticeships and professional qualifications.

Find out more about Adult at RNN Group

The Chesterfield College Group

The Chesterfield College Group offer a range of learning options for adult learners, including: ESOL, Access to HE, GCSE, vocational study, apprenticeships and professional qualifications.

Find out more about Adult at The Chesterfield College Group

The Sheffield College

The Sheffield College has an exciting offer of full-time and part-time qualifications for adult students.

Qualifications are perfect for students who are looking to retrain, upskill, gain essential qualifications, such as English, maths and digital skills, or simply enjoy a new hobby.

In the year 2020/21, The Sheffield College had 6,433 adults studying qualifications including GCSEs, Access to HE Diplomas, university level courses, English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL), Apprenticeships and other vocational training programmes.

Find out more about Adult at The Sheffield College

The University of Sheffield AMRC Training Centre

We are passionate about training and helping people succeed in some of the world’s most dynamic industries. Our state-of-the-art facility and highly trained staff are able to offer a variety of professional training and development opportunities to up-skill, re-skill and multi-skill your workforce.
Our commercial offering draws on a wealth of world-class resources and leading industry practices to help employers remain at the cutting edge of engineering standards and practice.
Our offer includes:

  • Computer-aided design (CAD)
  • Robotics
  • ILM leadership and management qualifications
  • Metallurgy
  • Technical courses (manual and CNC milling, manual and CNC turning, MIG, TIG and MMA welding)
  • Bespoke course options


With a flexible approach to delivery, we provide both on-site and fully remote learning options, including a bespoke course design opportunity. From metals, machining, computer-aided design (CAD) and leadership development, we ensure an individualised approach to learning through our small, highly interactive sessions which are provided at great value.
We pride ourselves on equipping learners with the new skills and knowledge they need to excel in their role and, as such, we can design learning from a novice through to advanced disciplines.

The AMRC offers a range of training and CPD opportunities for adults in the region.

Find out more about Adult at The University of Sheffield AMRC Training Centre