Useful Links

Learning Shop Partners

• www.colchester.ac.uk - Colchester Institute offers Further Education and Higher Education, full-time and part-time courses and both education ad training activity. Courses focus on vocational programmes and the development of skills to increase the employability and career achievement prospects of its learners
   
• www.essex.ac.uk -The University of Essex is one of the UK's leading academic institutions. Founded in 1964, the University has grown in both reputation and size, developing a worldwide reputation for top quality teaching and research. Undergraduate and postgraduate courses offered at the Colchester and Southend campuses.
   
   
• www.colchsfc.ac.uk - Sixth Form College Colchester offers 3 programmes of full time study for students
  • AS/A Levels
  • International Baccalaureate
  • Advanced Foundation Programme (GCSE+)
   
• www.open.ac.uk/study - Open University offers over 300 qualifications. It is a flexible way to study through distance learning.

Career Advice and Support 

• www.careersadvice.direct.gov.uk - The National Careers Advice Service offers practical advice on line by telephone or face to face, to help you make the right career choices whether you want to learn new skills, change career or return to work.
   
• www.essex.gov.uk/adultlearning - Adult Community Learning Essex works in partnership with Nextstep to offer free and confidential impartial information, advice and guidance to help you choose suitable learning or careers pathways. Appointments can be booked with a specialist adviser by calling one of the local centres listed on the website.
  Advisors can also help you with:
  - job search skills
  - developing your CV
  - identifying your skills needs
  - identifying suitable career directions
  - identifying suitable training opportunities
  - interview techniques
   
• www.sign-post.info - Signpost Resource Centre in Colchester are an independent organisation offering the following free services:

  - Creating your CV
  - Completing application forms
  - Improving letter-writing and interview skills
  - Access to the internet, email and local and national newspapers
  - Computer training
  - Job search workshops
  - Guidance on careers and education opportunities

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• www.volunteercentrecolchester.org.uk - The Volunteer Centre offers a matching service for people who wish to volunteer with volunteering vacancies
   
• East of England nextstep
  Nextstep is a free careers information and advice service for all adults aged 20+. Nextstep East of England is part of a national service that provides completely impartial information and advice to help you improve your job prospects through learning and gaining new skills. Nextstep East of England includes Cambridgeshire, Essex, Hertfordshire, Bedford, Luton, Norfolk & Suffolk. To find your nearest nextstep centre, and to book an appointment to see an adviser, call the telephone helpline on 0845 603 1059
   
• www.essexconnexions.co.uk - Connexions is for all 13-19 year olds, and older for some people with additional needs. The service provides a personal advice service on jobs, work, money, learning, health, relationships, housing
   

Local Further Education Colleges 

• www.braintree.ac.uk - The College at Braintree
• www.chelmsford-college.ac.uk - Chelmsford College
• www.colchester.ac.uk - Colchester Institute
• www.otleycollege.ac.uk - Otley College (Ipswich)
• www.suffolk.ac.uk - Suffolk New College
• www.writtle.ac.uk - Writtle College (Chelmsford)
   

Local Universities 

• www.essex.ac.uk - Essex University (Colchester)
• www.anglia.ac.uk - Anglia Ruskin University (Chelmsford & Cambridge)
• www.ucs.ac.uk - University Campus Suffolk (Ipswich)

Other 

• www.ucas.com - A guide to the process of applying to university and the portal for making an on line application
• www.direct.gov.uk - The Public Service website of the UK government. There is a link which includes guides to all aspects of Education and Training.
• www.direct.gov.uk/studentfinance - A guide to applying for student finance for higher education and the portal for making an on line application.
• www.direct.gov.uk/cdl - A guide to applying for a professional and career development loan.
• www.apprenticeships.org.uk - Whether you are an individual looking for an Apprenticeship, or an employer looking for an apprentice, there is a whole range of information here to help you decide if Apprenticeships are the right route for you.
• www.prospects.ac.uk - The UK's Official Graduate Careers website. 
  The Careers advice section is an invaluable resource for graduates looking to make the most of their degree and develop their career.