#Youtrainyougain is a month-long campaign across South Essex to promote the opportunities available to adults wishing to retrain or upskill, especially relevant to those adults whose livelihood, jobs and employment opportunities have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The campaign also helps dispel the myths around studying as an adult, a new website has been launched with instant information about South Essex providers and information for adults about getting back into education

Visit the website at www.youtrainyougain.org

The campaign is a partnership between  Rochford District Council, ACL Essex, Essex County Council, Southend-on-Sea Borough Council, Southend Adult Community College, South Essex College and Thurrock Adult Community College and Thurrock Council.

UK data released last month clearly demonstrated the significant impact the virus is having on the labour market already with over 600,000 people being  taken off payroll between March and May, many of these in South Essex. While we don’t know the exact impact, many job roles will change or be harder to come by, and people may need to think differently about what they do next.

Ian Lewis from Opportunity South Essex, said: “We conducted research into the barriers that adults face in getting back into education. This revealed that more than 60% of adults felt the cost of education was a barrier when the reality is that many courses on offer, particularly to those who are unemployed, are free or low cost. In addition, for higher level courses, adults are able to access adult learner loans which spread the cost of them retraining. We also found that adults wanted flexibility, either through fully online courses or through blended courses that are a mixture of face to face and online. We wish to raise awareness that providers across South Essex are now offering these types of courses”.

Watch out during the next month for information about opportunities, courses and events connected to the #youtrainyougain campaign or visit the website at www.youtrainyougain.org.