Courses and qualifications

Training can take many forms, from formal classroom training, online training, seminars and conferences to work shadowing and secondment opportunities.

Personal Learning Account

Personal Learning Accounts provide a flexible and fully funded learning entitlement to support employed individuals earning under the median income of £30,596 as well as those whose jobs are at risk. The courses are available across Wales through 13 Welsh colleges and are specifically designed to address

vocational training in sectors where there is a skills shortage to ensure the future needs of the economy are met.  You can apply for this funding direct with the college. If you do need any further advice, please email hrdirect@denbighshire.gov.uk or laura.temple@denbighshire.gov.uk.

Who is eligible?

Welsh residents who are aged 19 or over and want to gain skills and qualifications in priority sectors will be eligible for the courses if they meet at least one of the following criteria:

  • they are employed (including self-employed) and earning under £30,596 per annum
  • they work on a zero hours contract or are agency staff
  • they are at risk of being made redundant
  • are currently an offender on day release

Below you will find some useful information on various qualification and courses that are available for our employees to take advantage of.

Training courses 2023 / 2024

We have worked in partnership with all the main trade unions (GMB, UNITE and UNISON) in the last 12 months to gain funding through the Wales Union Learning Fund (WULF), which is focussed on improving the learning and skills of employees. By working with trade unions on developing learning and skills, we will be able to encourage wider participation in training, support bespoke workplace training and continue developing our employees.

Take a look at our varied programme for the year ahead, but also please note that we may add any additional topics throughout the year. There have also been courses arranged from other providers separate to WULF.

You do not have to be a specific union member to take advantage of this training. All courses are delivered virtually through either Microsoft Teams or Zoom, and if you wish to book a place please search for the course in the Learning section on iTrent Employee Self Service or contact hrdirect@denbighshire.gov.uk.

April 2024

April 2024

Healthier me

11 April: 9:30am to 10:30am

A one hour online session with information on how to improve your health and wellbeing. This course is for all employees.

Aims and objectives:

  • learn about the health triangle
  • discover the importance of physical health and exercise
  • learn about social health and how to improve your social wellness
  • recognise the importance of a healthy diet and forming healthy habits

Your financial wellbeing

17 April: 10am to 11:30am

This course is designed to help employees clearly identify the 4 steps towards becoming financially well that can support employees through working life and beyond. Providing information to help support employees make informed financial decisions.

During the course you'll learn about:

  • personal taxation, allowances and benefits (your take-home pay)
  • understanding your finances
  • reviewing your borrowing
  • savings and Investments
  • the value of your pensions

Book a place on the your financial wellbeing course (external website)

Watch a video with further information on the financial wellbeing course (external website)

Planning for a positive retirement (LGPS sessions and Teachers Pension Scheme sessions)

18 April: 9:30am to 12pm (noon) (LGPS)

Retirement might be up to 10 years away but it’s never too soon to start planning. This course is perfect for anyone thinking about retirement or already at the planning stages.

During the course you’ll learn how to:

  • help you plan for the lifestyle changes ahead
  • maximise the benefits of your State and workplace pensions
  • make the most of your tax-free cash
  • understand the income options available from your pension
  • achieve your retirement goals

Book a place on the retirement course (external website)

Watch a video with further information on the positive retirement course (external website)

May 2024 - Learning at Work Week

Learning at work week May 2024

Confidence building in the workplace (online via Teams)

Monday 13 May: 9:30am to 11:30am

Building self-esteem and self-confidence allows you to be the best you can be. This workshop offers a range of useful skills which will help in job interviews, meetings and presentations.

This session is delivered in partnership with the Unite and GMB Wales Union Learning Fund Projects.

Book via iTrent Employee Self Service

Communication skills (online via Teams)

Monday 13 May: 12pm (noon) to 2pm

Communication is one of the most important skills at home and in the workplace. We’ll cover conveying and sharing ideas effectively with a range of people.

This session is delivered in partnership with the Unite and GMB Wales Union Learning Fund Projects.

Book via iTrent Employee Self Service

Unison members - Union Learning Reps (ULRs) (online via Teams)

Tuesday 14 May: 10am to 11am

Online information session on the benefits of ULRs and how you could become one.

Book a place on the benefits of ULRs session (external website)

Talk training (online via Teams)

  • Tuesday 14 May: 11am to 12pm (noon) - ILM Leadership and Management Levels 2, 3, 4 and 5
  • Tuesday 14 May: 12:30pm to 1pm - Project Management Level 4

Information sessions on accessing fully funded learning.

Book a place on the ILM Leadership and Management Levels 2, 3, 4 and 5 session (external website)

Book a place on the Project Management Level 4 session (external website)

Unlock your learning power with a growth mindset (webinar)

Tuesday 14 May: 11am to 12pm (noon)

Campaign for Learning.

Book a place on the unlock your learning power with a growth mindset course (external website)

Talk training (online via Teams)

Wednesday 15 May: 11am to 12pm (noon) - Customer Service Levels 2 and 3

Information sessions on accessing fully funded learning.

Book a place on the Customer Service Levels 2 and 3 course (external website)

Grwp Llandrillo Menai (Council Chamber - Russell House)

Wednesday 15 May: 10am to 12pm (noon)

Explore free work based learning opportunities available to you.

Drop-in session - no need to book

Coleg Cambria (Council Chamber - Russell House)

Wednesday 15 May: 1pm to 3pm

Explore free work based learning opportunities available to you.

Drop-in session - no need to book

Influencing skills (online via Teams)

Thursday 16 May: 9:30am to 11:30am

This workshop will cover how we communicate with others and how they communicate with us, active listening and collaboration.

This session is delivered in partnership with the Unite and GMB Wales Union Learning Fund Projects.

Book via iTrent Employee Self Service

Talk training (online via Teams)

Thursday 16 May: 11am to 12pm (noon) - Professional Information Advice and Guidance Support Level 4

Information sessions on accessing fully funded learning.

Book a place on the Professional Information Advice and Guidance Support Level 4 (external website)

Unison members - Union Learning Reps (ULRs) (online via Teams)

Thursday 16 May: 4pm to 5pm

Online information session on the benefits of ULRs and how you could become one.

Book a place on the benefits of ULRs session (external website)

Learn something new

Access the online eLearning platform at a time that suits you this week and have a look at some of the optional modules available or take some time to complete any mandatory modules you have outstanding - log in to eLearning (external website)

Visit OpenLearn (external website) where you will find 1000s of free courses, interactives and more.

June 2024

June 2024

Planning for a positive retirement (LGPS sessions and Teachers Pension Scheme sessions)

3 June: 4:30pm to 7pm (Teachers Pension Scheme)

Retirement might be up to 10 years away but it’s never too soon to start planning. This course is perfect for anyone thinking about retirement or already at the planning stages.

During the course you’ll learn how to:

  • help you plan for the lifestyle changes ahead
  • maximise the benefits of your State and workplace pensions
  • make the most of your tax-free cash
  • understand the income options available from your pension
  • achieve your retirement goals

Book a place on the retirement course (external website)

Watch a video with further information on the course (external website)

September 2024

September 2024

Planning for a positive retirement (LGPS sessions and Teachers Pension Scheme sessions)

12 September: 9:30am to 12pm (noon) (LGPS)

Retirement might be up to 10 years away but it’s never too soon to start planning. This course is perfect for anyone thinking about retirement or already at the planning stages.

During the course you’ll learn how to:

  • help you plan for the lifestyle changes ahead
  • maximise the benefits of your State and workplace pensions
  • make the most of your tax-free cash
  • understand the income options available from your pension
  • achieve your retirement goals

Book a place on the retirement course (external website)

Watch a video with further information on the course (external website)

October 2024

October 2024

Your financial wellbeing

4 October: 1pm to 2:30pm

This course is designed to help employees clearly identify the 4 steps towards becoming financially well that can support employees through working life and beyond. Providing information to help support employees make informed financial decisions.

During the course you'll learn about:

  • personal taxation, allowances and benefits (your take-home pay)
  • understanding your finances
  • reviewing your borrowing
  • savings and Investments
  • the value of your pensions

Book a place on the your financial wellbeing course (external website)

Watch a video with further information on the financial wellbeing course (external website)

November 2024

November 2024

Planning for a positive retirement (LGPS sessions and Teachers Pension Scheme sessions)

7 November: 1pm to 3:30pm (Teachers Pension Scheme)

Retirement might be up to 10 years away but it’s never too soon to start planning. This course is perfect for anyone thinking about retirement or already at the planning stages.

During the course you’ll learn how to:

  • help you plan for the lifestyle changes ahead
  • maximise the benefits of your State and workplace pensions
  • make the most of your tax-free cash
  • understand the income options available from your pension
  • achieve your retirement goals

Book a place on the retirement course (external website)

Watch a video with further information on the course (external website)

E-learning

We do have various courses that are delivered by E-Learning and these can be found on the E-learning page. These can be specific to Denbighshire but there are also various other courses available from the All-Wales Academy.

Academi Wales

As a local government employees you will become a member of Academi Wales (external website), who provide a huge amount of training and resources that you can take advantage of. These are all free and some of the courses are excellent ways to develop your skills and experience and an opportunity to network.

Qualifications

We work closely with local Colleges and Universities to deliver recognised qualifications and training courses for our employees. Some may be funded through the apprenticeship levy, department funded or funded by other means.

Over recent months we have seen employees start and successfully complete management qualifications in, ILM Leadership & Management Level 2 and 3, ILM Coaching & Mentoring Level 3 and 5, Project Management Diploma Level 4 and Human Resource Management to name a few.

If you are interested in any courses or qualifications you will need to speak to your manager in the first instance, who may then speak to the Organisational Development team to arrange a discussion with the provider. You may also see various awareness sessions being advertised and held throughout the year which may be of interest to you.

There is also a full range of other department specific training and qualifications that our employees can undertake and we are working continually to develop the offer to our employees, these include Health & Safety and Social Care training, Advice and Guidance, ICT and Social Media and Digital Marketing.

In-house or bespoke training

We can also offer bespoke training for departments as and when there is a specific project / need and can tailor the training to suit specific service needs. Look out for various training opportunities and if you would like more information or interested in any qualifications and training please contact Laura Temple, OD Specialist - Learning and Development - laura.temple@denbighshire.gov.uk.

Dedicated union learning opportunities

If you are a member of the union you may find other qualification and courses that you may be able to attend or be able to apply for. Please see their dedicated learning pages below:


GMB Union Unison Unite the Union