Skills for Independence, Life & Work
Our skills for independence, life & work courses provide further education opportunities to students with learning difficulties and/or disabilities. For those who have a desire to enter the world of work, the department also offers supported internships and preparation for supported employment, providing you with the tools needed to boost your employability skills.
Students on these courses will benefit from working at the soon-to-be-launched Wellbeing Community Café, a fantastic facility where our Skills for Independence, Life & Work, and Foundation students can learn to produce a range of hot and cold meals and snacks. This real-life café will also help them develop valuable skills in customer service, teamwork, and communication.
Trips and visits
Trips to leisure attractions are part of the personal & development course. Previous students have visited the zoo, bowling, theme parks, taken part in organised walks, crazy golf and even attended outdoor activity centres.
Industry links
Our Personal & Social Development and Foundation Learning adult students receive support to work in real-life scenarios, giving them valuable practical experience and helping them develop key life skills such as money handling, communication, and teamwork.
We have connections with many employers across Warrington, and previous students have completed placements and internships at organisations such as Amazon, Warrington Borough Council, IKEA, and Warrington Market.
I am
16-18 Years Old
Are you looking to start college, become more independent and prepare to enter the world of work? Our skills for learning, life and work courses are the perfect stepping stone. Gain confidence, independence, communication, and social skills with one of our personal & social development courses or boost your employability and career skills with our employability skills courses.
Entry 2 Skills for Independence
Full Time
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Entry 3 Personal & Social Development
Full Time
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Level 1 Personal & Social Development
Full Time
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Preparation for Supported Employment
Full Time
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Supported Internship
Full Time
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Supported Internship - Warrington Hospital
Full Time
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I am an
Adult Learner
Ideal for adults who are seeking to boost their employability skills, enhance their CV or learn how to effectively manage their money, these courses will help you achieve your career goals. If you have been out of employment for a while, would like to live more independently, or make a career change, the courses will provide you with the skills and confidence you need to progress.
Our ACE course may be suitable for adults who are looking to gain the skills and knowledge they need to progress onto further study, employment or voluntary work. Perhaps you are looking to boost your confidence before entering the workplace or need some extra time before starting a new course.
Level 1 Certificate Healthy Bodies Happy Minds: Physical Health and Mental Wellbeing
Part Time
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Lifeskills Café: Cooking and Communication for Enhanced Indpendence (ACE)
Full Time
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Personal Development for Adults: Success in Hospitality
Full Time
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The Next Step
Part Time
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Meet our students
The college is a great place to learn and the tutors are really helpful.”
Personal & Social Development student Dillon Hillary is really enjoying his course and feels he is learning some valuable skills for the future. Dillon is studying IT as part of his course, and really enjoys learning about computers. He is passionate about IT as well as music production, which he does in his spare time. Selected from hundreds of applicants nationwide, Dillon will be collaborating with 12 other young people on the UK's first ever Further Education (FE) Youth Collective.
Meet our tutors
Sara Shaw
Sara Shaw has worked at Warrington & Vale Royal College coming from a hospitality background.
Sara loves delivering the theory in the classroom and seeing it put into practice in the workplace.
She says “It's wonderful to see the learners engage with members of the community when they're part of running events. They're engaged with promoting the cafe through our social media platforms, and enjoy showing of their achievements and skills.
It's a very rewarding role, I love it!”
Choosing a career based on Skills for Independence, Life & Work Back to top
20 June 2025
Warrington & Vale Royal College celebrates another inspiring year of Supported Internships success
13 May 2025
Former Warrington & Vale Royal College Supported Internship student receives highly regarded award
17 October 2024
Warrington & Vale Royal College's Supported Internship students start placement
9 August 2024
Warrington & Vale Royal College’s DFN Supported Internship students secure full-time employment
22 November 2023