The skills area brings together a collection of free courses and resources that can help develop abilities in several areas, including everyday skills in maths and English.
Everyday skills in maths and English
Everyday Skills courses offer free and flexible online learning, ideal for anyone who wants to refresh and improve their everyday English reading, writing and/or maths ability.
Relevant topics will develop your communication and numeracy skills whilst learning how to apply them to your everyday home and work life.
- Everyday English 1
- Everyday Maths 1 (available in English and Welsh, starting in Summer 2019)
- Everyday Maths 2 (available in English and Welsh, starting in Summer 2019)
You can learn independently online and gain recognition of your achievement or be supported by one of the partner colleges to gain a qualification.
Learn independently with free courses on OpenLearn Cymru
There is no initial assessment and you can choose the level that best suits your ability and aspirations.
When you pass an Everyday Skills course, you will gain an Open University Statement of Participation and digital badge. Your achievement can be added to your employment profile and CV.
Learn with college support to gain a qualification
Contact a partner centre, where you may be asked to sit an initial assessment. The centre will guide you to the most suitable course and qualification for your skill level, either Everyday Skills courses or an Essential Skills qualification.
Participating partner centres:
Learn about the Functional Skills qualification, available in England.
Benefits of study
By studying these courses, you will gain personal and professional benefits:
- Support children with homework
- Build your self-esteem and confidence
- Enhance your job prospects and employability
- Improve your communication skills
- Become confident in completing forms accurately
Other Skills
The skills area also includes free courses and resources that can help develop your abilities in professional settings and help you get started with higher education study.
- Copyright: The Open University Wales
Everyday English 1
This free course will develop and improve your essential speaking and listening, reading and writing skills for work, study and everyday life.
Try this courseCourse
24+ hrs
Level 0 Beginner
- Copyright: The Open University Wales
Everyday English 2
This free course is an introduction to Level 2 Functional Skills in English with tips and techniques to help you communicate more effectively in everyday life.
Try this courseCourse
24+ hrs
Level 0 Beginner
- Copyright: The Open University Wales
Everyday maths 1 (Wales)
This free course is an introduction to Level 1 Essential Skills in maths that’s designed to inspire you to improve your current maths skills
Try this courseCourse
24+ hrs
Level 0 Beginner
- Marcus Young under Creative Commons - No Commercial ShareAlike
Planning a better future
This is a version of the OU Social Partnerships Network course 'Planning a better future' for Wales.
Try this courseCourse
15 hrs
Level 0 Beginner
- Copyright: The Open University in Wales
Refresh your study skills
Here you will finds a link to a variety of courses on The Open University’s OpenLearn website that can help you develop skills if you are new to or returning to learning. There are 40 courses ranging from skills to improve essay writing, to IT and digital skills and preparing to study in English.
Try this courseCourse
20 hrs
Level 0 Beginner
- Farid Iqbal Ibrahim under Creative Commons - No Commercial ShareAlike
The importance of interpersonal skills
To succeed in management you need good interpersonal skills, you need to understand how to deal with other people. This unit will help you gain an awareness of your skills and understand that an awareness of the interpersonal skills of others can help us enormously in dealing with the work tasks we are responsible for.
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3 hrs
Level 0 Beginner
- Copyright: The Open University in Wales
Using voluntary work to get ahead in the job market
This course explores how engaging in voluntary work can enhance your employment opportunities.
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12 hrs
Level 0 Beginner
- Copyright: The Open University in Wales
What about me? A personal development course for carers in Wales
This is a personal development course for carers in Wales. It will help you to identify and reflect on your experiences, interests, skills and your future aspirations. You will also have the opportunity to develop a personal action plan to take forward beyond the course. Developed by The Open University in Wales and Carers Trust Wales, it is embedded with case studies from real carers sharing their experiences and reflections.
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5 hrs
Level 0 Beginner