Part-Time Courses for Adults
Skills Bootcamps
We’re thrilled to be offering a number of Skills Bootcamps (part of the Government’s Lifetime Skills Guarantee) which are designed to help you gain skills and provide industry recognised qualifications. Due to the nature of these courses and the high staff to student ratio, we only have four student spaces available per course.
Whether you’re looking for a fresh start in a new career, hoping to gain skills or support your the development of your staff, our Skills Bootcamps are here to help. Skills Bootcamps are free for individuals and 90% funded for SMEs through the Government’s National Skills Fund. Larger employers receive 70% funding. These flexible courses give people the opportunity to build up sector-specific skills and an offer of an interview with an employer upon completion.
Our current Skills Bootcamps are now full – If you’re interested in taking part in the future, submit our expression of interest form and we’ll notify you when bookings open again.
Click here to complete our ‘Expression of Interest’ form.
Skills Bootcamps in Butchery
Immerse yourself in the unique and ancient trade of butchery on a course designed for individuals who want to begin a career in the meat industry or gain skills in practical butchery to progress in their current role. This hands-on programme introduces you to the essential techniques, food safety standards, and commercial skills used by professional butchers. Whether you’re new to the industry or looking to build confidence and competence, the bootcamp provides a strong foundation for working safely, efficiently, and skilfully in a butchery environment.
Additional Details: Skills Bootcamps in Butchery
When will this run?
- Every Thursday from 15th January 2026 until 16th March 2026 (excluding Thursday 19th February)
What you’ll learn
- Fundamental knife skills and safe cutting techniques
- Carcass breakdown and joint preparation
- Identification of meat cuts across species
- Safe handling, storage, and hygiene practices
- Customer service and counter presentation
- Weighing, packaging, and labelling procedures
- Introduction to value-adding processes (sausages, burgers, curing)
- Industry health and safety and food hygiene regulations
- Level 2 Award in Health and Safety in the Workplace
- Level 3 Award in Emergency First Aid at Work
What you’ll need to bring
- Closed-toe footwear (safety shoes if available)
- Comfortable, washable clothing suitable for a food environment
- A notebook and pen for learning and practice notes
- Any personal PPE you already own (optional; essential equipment will be provided)
- A positive attitude toward hands-on, practical learning
How you’ll be assessed
- Practical demonstrations of cutting and preparation techniques
- Tutor observations during hands-on training
- Short written or verbal assessments on hygiene, safety, and product knowledge
- Evidence of safe knife handling and correct food safety practices
- Completion of tasks that reflect real butchery shop or production environments
What can you do next?
- Move into employment as a Trainee Butcher, Butchery Assistant, Meat Counter Operative, or Production Operative
- Progress to further industry qualifications or a full Butchery Apprenticeship
- Develop specialist skills such as charcuterie, curing, or advanced carcass breakdown
- Build a long-term career within retail butchery, meat processing, hospitality supply, or food production
Skills Bootcamps in Greenkeeping
Created for anyone interested in starting a career in sports turf maintenance or developing their existing skills to progress within the industry. Whether you want to work on golf courses, sports pitches, estates, or recreational grounds, this programme gives you the practical knowledge and hands-on experience needed to maintain high-quality playing surfaces. With guidance from industry professionals, you’ll learn the core techniques, equipment use, and environmental practices essential to working as an effective and confident Green Keeper.
Additional Details: Skills Bootcamps in Greenkeeping
When will this run?
- You will attend an initial one week NPTC Level 2 Tractor Training course commencing on Monday 9th February 2026. You will then return on Tuesday 3rd March for a further 8 days of training.
What you’ll learn
- Principles of turf management and grass cultivation
- Safe Use of Pedestrian Mowers NPTC L2
- Tractor Training NPTC L2
- PA1 – Safe use of pesticides
- PA6 Application of pesticides
- Introduction to Sustainable Resource Management
- Environmental stewardship and sustainable grounds maintenance
- Level 2 Award in Health and Safety in the Workplace
- Level 3 Award in Emergency First Aid at Work
What you’ll need to bring
- Suitable outdoor clothing and sturdy, supportive footwear
- A willingness to work outdoors in all weather conditions
- Basic writing materials (notebook, pen)
- Any existing PPE (optional, as essential items will be provided if required)
- A positive, practical attitude for physical, hands-on tasks
How you’ll be assessed
- Practical demonstrations of groundskeeping skills
- Tutor observations during hands-on activities
- Short written or verbal knowledge checks
- Evidence of safe machinery operation and correct maintenance procedures
- Completion of real-world tasks such as mowing, marking out, or turf care
What can you do next?
- Begin work as a Green Keeper, Sports Turf Operative, Grounds Maintenance Worker, or Estate Grounds Assistant
- Progress to further industry qualifications or an apprenticeship in sports turf or greenkeeping
- Specialise in areas such as golf course management, machinery operation, or turf science
- Build a long-term career in sports turf management, parks maintenance, or landscape services
Skills Bootcamps in Horticulture
Grow your skills on a course designed for people who want to start a new career in outdoor, plant-focused work or develop their existing skills to progress in the horticulture sector. Whether you’re interested in garden maintenance, landscaping, plant production, or working in parks and green spaces, this practical, hands-on programme will give you the knowledge, confidence, and industry-led skills needed to succeed. No prior experience is required—just enthusiasm for working outdoors and a willingness to learn.
Additional Details: Skills Bootcamps in Horticulture
When will this run?
- The Skills Bootcamps in Horticulture will include 60 hours over 2.5 weeks and will run from Wednesday 21st January 2025 until Friday 6th February 2026.
What you’ll learn
- Introductory plant identification and plant care
- Soil preparation, turf care, and planting techniques
- Safe use of tools, machinery, and equipment.
- Safe use of Brush-cutters and Trimmers C&G Level 2 Award
- Safe Use of Mowers NPTC L2
- Pruning and planting with a visit to a nursery with expert
- PA1 – Safe use of pesticides
- PA6 Application of pesticides
- Level 2 Award in Health and Safety in the Workplace
- Level 3 Award in Emergency First Aid at Work
What you’ll need to bring
- Suitable outdoor clothing and sturdy footwear
- A willingness to work outdoors in all weather conditions
- Basic writing materials (notebook, pen)
How you’ll be assessed
- Practical demonstrations of horticultural tasks
- Short written or verbal knowledge checks
- Observations from tutors during hands-on activities
- Completion of set tasks reflecting real-world job requirements
- Evidence of safe and competent tool and equipment use
What can you do next?
- Move into employment as a Horticulture Operative, Grounds Maintenance Worker, Gardener, or Landscaping Assistant
- Progress to an apprenticeship in horticulture or landscaping
- Continue learning through advanced courses or specialist training (machinery, pesticide application, arboriculture, etc.)
- Build a portfolio to support long-term career development in green industries
Skills Bootcamps in Tree Surgery
Reach new heights on a course designed for individuals who want to begin a career in arboriculture or gain skills needed to progress within the tree care industry. This practical, safety-focused programme introduces you to the essential knowledge and hands-on techniques used by professional tree surgeons, from understanding tree biology to carrying out safe tree maintenance operations. Whether you’re starting fresh or upskilling for a new role, this bootcamp provides a solid foundation for working confidently, responsibly, and safely in outdoor environments.
Additional Details: Skills Bootcamps in Tree Surgery
When will this run?
- Depending on existing experience you will attend one of two Skills Bootcamps in Tree Surgery which will be approx. 90 hours across 3 weeks. These will run on:
- Monday 2nd February 2026 until Friday 20th February 2026 (including x3 days Chainsaw Maintenance NPTC L2 Award)
- Monday 2nd March 2026 until Friday 20th March 2026 (including x5 days Felling and Processing Small tress Level 2)
What you’ll learn
- Tree identification and basic tree biology including a visit with an industry expert to an Arboretum.
- Safe use and maintenance of arboriculture tools and equipment
- Ground-based chainsaw operation and maintenance OR Felling and Processing Small tress
- Understanding tree hazards and assessing worksite risks
- Tree climbing and aerial rescue
- Environmental and legal considerations within arboriculture Industry-standard health and safety practices
- Level 2 Award in Health and Safety in the Workplace
- Level 3 Award in Emergency First Aid at Work
What you’ll need to bring
- Suitable outdoor clothing and sturdy, protective footwear
- A willingness to work outdoors in a range of weather conditions
- Basic writing materials (notebook, pen)
- Any personal PPE you already own (optional—training PPE will be provided where required)
- A positive attitude and readiness for physical, hands-on work
How you’ll be assessed
- Practical assessments demonstrating safe and competent tool use
- Tutor observations during hands-on tasks
- Short written or verbal knowledge checks
- Evidence of safe decision-making and hazard awareness on a worksite
- Completion of practical tasks based on real industry scenarios
What can you do next?
- Apply for roles such as Ground-Based Tree Surgeon, Arborist Assistant, or Tree Care Operative
- Progress to further arboriculture qualifications (e.g., climbing and aerial rescue, advanced chainsaw units)
- Complete a full Arborist Apprenticeship
- Explore opportunities in forestry, utility arboriculture, land management, and environmental services
- Build a pathway toward becoming a fully qualified, professional Arborist
Let us know that you’re interested! Complete the form below and a member of team will be in touch to discuss next steps.