YOUNG people looking to take the first steps in an exciting new career have been offered a unique opportunity to get a taste of the training courses they need to gain experience and qualifications.

The Opportunity Centre, in Cheapside, Bradford, is hosting a series of drop-in sessions to give prospective new learners - and their parents - a chance to see their courses in action.

Young people and parents/carers can take a look around the facilities as well as meet and talk to staff and other learners.

Officials say the sessions will give prospective learners an idea of day-to-day life at The Opportunity Centre and help them decide on the right course.

The taster sessions are running every Tuesday from 10am to 1pm, and 1pm to 3pm at the Cheapside centre, as well as every Thursday from 1pm to 3pm at the Barkerend centre, which runs construction and motor vehicle courses. Interested visitors can call in at any time.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus:

The Opportunity Centre helps deliver the aspire2work programme.

Aspire2work, available for 16- to 19-year-olds (or up to 25 with an EHCP), is a unique vocational programme that aims to provide learners with the opportunity to gain practical qualifications coupled with hands-on experience.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus:

It is delivered through small class sizes for a more personalised - and effective - learning experience which is a major feature of the learning programme.

Courses are flexible in start time, meaning learners don’t have to wait until September if they want to get cracking straight away, and feature at least a week’s worth of practical work experience to ensure learners get the most from their course.

Learners will also study for their maths or English GCSE alongside their course if needed. These drop in sessions are available to preview courses in:

  • Beauty 
  • Business
  • Catering & Hospitality
  • Childcare
  • Construction
  • ESOL
  • Health and Social Care
  • ICT
  • Motor Vehicle
  • Supporting Teaching & Learning

Some of the courses get to take their hands-on approach a step further by taking their skills into a real, public facing role. The catering school operates an on-site café, The Canteen, that is open to the public. Learners are taught in The Cookery school and then get to put their skills into practice, preparing and serving food and drinks in The Canteen. The beauty school also has public on-site facilities. They run a salon for beauty therapy treatments for members of the public every Friday - you can enquire here to make a salon booking: katie.pajah@theopportunitycentre.com. 

Bradford Telegraph and Argus:

Community and social enrichment are important for their learners too, through plenty of employer events, talks and placements. Employer talks (both in-person and virtual) have been a resounding success with examples including the Yorkshire Air Ambulance holding a virtual event for the health and social care learners as well as the Yorkshire Water apprenticeship talk encouraging business learners to consider their next steps. Field trips to the National Science and Media Museum centred on animation for IT students and catering trips to see how halloumi is made at Yorkshire Dama Cheese were both fantastic opportunities for learners to get to grips with industry practices and explore the fields that they are studying too.

As well as course specific enrichment opportunities, students often band together for organised events - entirely arranged by themselves. This community spirit has resulted in fantastic occasions including a culture day in which learners celebrated the cultures of learners and staff at the Opportunity Centre. Everyone was invited to wear cultural traditional dress, bring foods from their culture and music was played for all to enjoy. This brought learners together from all courses to celebrate and nurture friendships with one-another.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus:

There are many success stories to share; Javairia’s story is an inspiring tale of success made possible by the aspire2work programme.

“When I first met Joanne, the Childcare Tutor, she wasn’t sure if it was the right course for me as I didn’t have appropriate grades in maths and English. But I persuaded her that I would work extremely hard, and she was impressed with my enthusiasm and determination so gave me a chance.”

“The tutors have a saying ‘believe in yourself and you can achieve anything you want to in life’.  Two years on I am at University studying a foundation degree in Children’s Care, Learning and Development! Thank you to aspire2work for giving me a chance.”

If you would like to find out how you can enrol on a course, then head to the aspire2work website https://youngpeople.theopportunitycentre.com/, call 0330 111 0035 or pop into an Open Door drop-in at any time during the session so you can see the courses in action before you apply.

The Opportunity Centre, 21-27 Cheapside, Bradford, BD1 4HR
Aspire2work Skills Centre, Barkerend, Bradford, BD3 9BD