Career Kickstarter with Manchester Adult Education
- Start date(s): TBC
- Centre: TBC
- Work placement: Various – this will be allocated and discussed with you.
- Programme duration: 20 weeks (13 weeks course + 6 week work placement).
Build your skills. Build your knowledge. Build your network. Build your experience.
Course details
Career Kickstarter is an exciting new opportunity for 2026!
Through this programme not only will you develop the skills and knowledge to become successful during the job search, application and interview process, but you will also gain practical skills through a six-week Manchester Adult Education (MAES) work placement.
By combining completing an employability skills course with work experience, you will achieve a recognised qualification and develop essential workplace skills that employers are looking for including teamwork, communication, customer service and problem-solving.
On this course you will complete the following units:
- Conduct at work: In this unit you will learn the characteristics of positive working and the importance of appropriate conduct at work for both employees and the organisation.
- Time Management: This unit will help you to develop your understanding of key aspects of time management and why time management in a work/study context is important.
Making the Most of Work Placement: In this final unit the focus will be on preparing and reflecting on your work placement. You will look at the potential benefits of work placement in improving employability skills and helping you progress towards a job. You will also look at the importance of conforming to expectations in relation to attitudes and behaviours in the workplace and explore issues that might arise while on placement and ways to avoid these where possible.
Work placement
As mentioned, this programme also includes the completion of a six-week work placement at one of our adult learning centres. You will work in a Business Support role, helping different teams including administration, engagement, exams and data to build your practical knowledge and understanding of employment within MAES and the different business support functions of an adult education provider.
Throughout the course and work placement, you will have the support from a dedicated mentor.
The employability skills course is delivered face-to-face in a classroom at our adult learning centres.
Your work placement will also be based in one of our eight adult learning centres.
For this course, you will be required to create a portfolio of evidence meeting the assessment criteria for the qualification.
For this course you will need to have a strong level of verbal and written English, good digital skills or a willingness to work towards a qualification to achieve this.
You will also need to undergo a Disclosure Barring Service (DBS) check, but this will be provided by Manchester Adult Education prior to you starting your work placement.
Career and progression routes
After successfully completing the employability course and six-week work placement, we can confirm that you will be notified about any business support opportunities that become available at Manchester Adult Education.
You may also wish to further develop your knowledge and skills by completing other MAES courses such as:
- Level 2 Award in Digital Office Essentials
- Level 2 Certificate in Information, Advice and Guidance
- Level 2 Certificate in the Principles of Team Leading
We can also signpost you to other courses that we offer so that you can deepen your knowledge of specific areas to help boost your career prospects if you would like to work in a specific industry.