At Gateshead College we promise to get you job ready.

We give you the qualifications, skills and confidence that will make you stand out in the job market or move onto further study.

This starts with making sure you have the basic key skills all employers are looking for no matter what industry you plan to work in.

Strong English and Maths skills are essential in every workplace.

They also enable you to achieve higher grades on your course here with us and will be required if you move to an apprenticeship or university.

Studying English and Maths in college is different to school and you will see how these skills are relevant to the industry you are interested in working in.

English and Maths form a vital part of your study programme; this is what you enrol on when you start a full time course at college.

Study programmes are individual to each student and what you do as part of your programme will depend upon the qualifications you have when you join us, the results of our assessments to see what level you are working at and your ambitions and career aspirations.

Why are English and Maths skills so important?

You use these skills all the time in work and they are crucially important to employers. 

Whether you want to work in engineering or early years, beauty or business or anything in between – you’ll put your English and Maths skills to use every day.

This might include:

  • Preparing and managing budgets
  • Researching and writing reports
  • Delivering presentations
  • Ordering stock and dealing with invoices
  • Communicating with customers and colleagues
  • Managing appointments, rotas and itineraries
  • Understanding and giving instructions
  • Making measurements and calculations
  • Writing letters
  • Record keeping

Confidence in English and Maths skills will also help you with your studies now and in the future.

You can view our English and Maths courses here.

Your questions answered

When you confirm your qualifications over the phone with us, we’ll use these to ensure you are on the right programme for your English and Maths.

Everyone is different and we will make sure we find the best option for you.

You’ll also have the opportunity to improve your English and Maths skills during the rest of your study programme.

Group sizes will be smaller than at school, so you will get lots of support in class.

Tasks will be linked to your learning style and every attempt will be made to make lessons enjoyable and interactive.

We tailor your learning and apply English and Maths skills to the area you want to work in.

If you have any specific learning needs we have a specialist team who will give further support.

You will get a relevant certificate at your level in Maths and/or English.

Functional skills and GCSE qualifications are recognised and really valued by employers and universities so this, in addition to all the other skills you develop on your study programme, will really improve your chances of getting a job.