Apprenticeships

Supporting your future

Apply

For more information or to book onto the Skills Bootcamps please email courses@itchen.ac.uk or contact Itchen College on 02380 446156

Elevate Your Career with Skills Bootcamps at Itchen College

At Itchen College, we’re proud to offer a growing range of Skills Bootcamps as part of the Government’s Lifetime Skills Guarantee—flexible, sector-focused programmes designed to boost your employability, build your confidence, and open doors to new career opportunities.

Our Skills Bootcamps provide practical, employer-aligned training for adults aged 19+ looking to upskill, retrain, or step into a new profession. They’re an ideal route for adults returning to work, self-employed individuals, career changers, and those currently unemployed.

We currently offer Skills Bootcamps in:

Early Years

Prepare for meaningful roles in nurseries, pre-schools, and childcare settings. Develop strong knowledge of the EYFS, child development, safeguarding, behaviour support, paediatric first aid, food safety, and inclusive practice.

Health & Social Care

Gain sector-recognised training to enter a rewarding career in care. Develop essential knowledge in person-centred care, safeguarding, dementia awareness, mental health, first aid, professional practice, and supporting vulnerable individuals.

Customer Service

Our Customer Service Skills Bootcamp is funded by Hampshire County Council and is designed to equip learners with the essential skills, knowledge, and behaviours needed for a successful career in customer service, hospitality, or retail.

Join our Customer Service Bootcamp to gain experience, qualifications, and guaranteed interviews while developing the confidence and professional skills employers are looking for.

What Makes Skills Bootcamps Different?

  • Free, flexible courses for eligible adults, delivered over up to 16 weeks
  • Designed with employers to meet real workforce needs across Hampshire
  • Guaranteed interviews with local employers upon completion
  • Practical, hands-on learning to ensure you are confident and job-ready

Proven Results

With a 99% achievement rate and over 60% of learners progressing into employment, Itchen College’s Skills Bootcamps are helping adults build brighter futures while strengthening the local workforce.

Please find below further information about the courses available and upcoming dates.

For more information or to book onto the Skills Bootcamps please
contact Itchen College on 02380 446156 or email
courses@itchen.ac.uk

Early Years Skills Bootcamps

Early Years

Our Early Years Skills Bootcamps are funded by the Solent Growth Partnership and Hampshire County Council and are designed to equip learners with the essential skills, knowledge and behaviours needed for a successful career in Early Years. You will learn about the EYFS, child development, equality and diversity and child centred care. You will achieve a Paediatric first aid and food safety qualification as well as the underpinning knowledge required to work in the sector. Employers will talk to you about the career opportunities available and you will have guaranteed interviews for real vacancies. You will receive 1:1 support and mentoring to support you during and after your Bootcamps to ensure that you have the best possible experience and achieve the outcome you are looking for.

This course is 75 hours.

What will I learn?

Our Skills Bootcamps align with the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) requirements, covering essential topics such as

  • child development
  • child-centered learning
  • safeguarding
  • first aid and promoting equality
  • diversity and inclusion

You will find out what it is like to work in the sector, the range of job opportunities available and you will meet employers.

Benefits to Learners:

  • A comprehensive training package
  • 1:1 support and mentoring
  • Guaranteed interviews
  • Additional support with Employability skills
  • Support to apply for roles, practice interviews and help to highlight your many skills and qualities

If you are unemployed or employed but ready for career change there is no cost.

This course is 75 hours

Health and Social Care Skills Bootcamps

Health and Social Care

Our Health and Social Care Skills Bootcamps are designed to equip learners with the essential skills, knowledge and behaviours needed for a successful career in the health and social care sector. You will gain knowledge of the 15 standards on the care certificate, have the chance to engage with local employers and achieve guaranteed interviews for real vacancies. You will receive 1:1 support and mentoring to support you during and after your Bootcamps to ensure that you have the best possible experience and achieve the outcome you are looking for.

Why should I do the course?

• Gain 3 recognised qualifications: Emergency First Aid at Work, Health and Safety & Food Hygiene

• Learn about the Care Certificate including Mental Health & Learning Disabilities

• Guaranteed interview with employers who have live vacancies from support workers to professional care assistants

• Support from experts to write a CV, prepare for interviews and apply for jobs

Where can this course lead?

• Mental Health Support Worker
• Social Worker
• Key Worker
• Health Care Assistant
• Residential Care Assistant
• Working for Hampshire Constabulary
• Young People’s Support Worker
• Working with a diverse range and ages of people
with Special Educational Needs

For more information click on the picture below

For more information click on the picture below

 

If you are aged 19+ unemployed or employed but ready for career change there is no cost.

This course is 75 hours

Customer Service Skills Bootcamps

Customer Service Skills

Our Customer Service Skills Bootcamp is funded by Hampshire County Council and is designed to equip learners with the essential skills, knowledge and behaviours needed for a successful career in customer service, hospitality, or retail.

Join our Customer Service Bootcamp to gain experience, qualifications and guaranteed interviews while developing the confidence and professional skills employers are looking for.

You will learn about excellent customer service, communication, teamwork, handling customer complaints, food safety and workplace standards within fast-paced customer-facing environments.

Employers will talk to you about the career opportunities available, progression pathways within the sector, and what they look for in successful team members. You will have guaranteed interviews for real vacancies and receive 1:1 support and mentoring during and after your Bootcamp to help you achieve the outcome you are looking for.

This course is 60 hours.

What will I learn?

Our Skills Bootcamp covers essential topics such as:

Customer service excellence

Communication and teamwork

Working effectively in busy environments

Handling difficult situations and customer complaints

Food safety, hygiene, and workplace standards

Time management, prioritisation, and problem solving

Confidence, resilience, and professional behaviour

Employability skills, CV writing, and interview preparation

 

You will find out what it is like to work in hospitality and retail environments, explore career opportunities within the sector, and meet employers.

Benefits to Learners:

A comprehensive training package

1:1 support and mentoring

Guaranteed interviews

Additional support with employability skills

Support to apply for roles, practice interviews, and highlight your skills and strengths

Insight into progression opportunities within hospitality and retail

 

If you are aged 19+, unemployed or employed but ready for a career change, there is no cost.

 

Upcoming Courses for Skills Bootcamps

Early Years

 

Starting: 7th September 2026

This course runs Monday- Friday for three weeks

7th September- 25th September

9.30am-2.30pm

Venue: Havant United Reform Church, North Street, Havant, PO9 1PP

 

Starting: 28th September 2026

This course runs Monday- Friday for three weeks

28th September- 16th October 

9.30am-2.30pm

Venue: Wells Place Centre, Wells Place, Eastleigh, SO50 5LJ

 

Health and Social Care

Starting: 14th September 2026

This course runs Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday for 3 weeks

14th September – 2nd October

9.30am – 2.30pm

Venue: Masonic Hall, Albion Place, Southampton, SO14 2DD

 

 

Starting: 28th September 2026

This course runs Monday – Friday for 3 weeks

28th September – 16th October

10am – 2.30pm

Venue: Fareham Live, Osborn Road, Fareham, PO16 7DB

 

 

Customer Service

(Adults aged 19+)

 

 

 

Starting: 28th September

This course runs Monday – Friday

28th September – 13th October    

 

9.30am – 2.30pm

Venue: Leonardo Hotel, Charlotte Place, Southampton, SO14 0TB

 

 

 

Starting: 26th November

This course runs on the following dates

26th, 27th and 30th November
1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th and 11th December
(You will be required to attend all dates to complete the course)   

 

9.30am – 2.30pm

Venue: Havant United Reform Church, North Street, Havant, PO9 1PP

 

 

For more information or to book onto the Skills Bootcamps please contact Itchen College on 02380 446156 or email courses@itchen.ac.uk

 

 

What Our Past Students Say

“I truly appreciate all the support and guidance I’ve been given, starting from the training sessions. The dedication and effort have made a real difference, and I’m genuinely grateful for everything they’ve done to help me succeed. I would like to say thank you, and all the hard work Itchen College do support people into work.” – Gigi

 

“I have been offered work with my local store; I have an interview on Thursday and will accept if offered. I know all the other staff and they are all keen for me to join them. I feel that my life is turning around in every way; I needed the confidence I gained through meeting you and doing your fabulous course.” – Katarzyna

 

“I’m really enjoying the course – it’s been a great experience so far. I’ve learned lots of new things, and it’s definitely encouraged me to take on the challenge of learning new skills. It’s also been great to meet new people and learn more about how things work here in the UK. Having classes every day is actually really helpful – it keeps me motivated and gives me a reason to leave the house each morning with a bit of excitement.” – Ryan

Key Personnel
Jo Brooke

Position: Director of Community Education, Business Development and Partnerships

Phone: 02380 435636 EXT 308

Email: jbrooke@itchen.ac.uk

Enrol for 26/27 now!

Let's Go