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 2024 / 2025

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.

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)

Ask and act group 2

10 October: 9:30am to 12:30pm

A half day course to; increase confidence and understanding of early identification, making a targeted enquiry and knowing referral pathways. This is a mandatory course for anyone working in a front facing role.

Aims and objectives:

recognise the signs and symptoms of violence against women, domestic abuse and sexual violence
understand the purpose of and demonstrate an ability to undertake targeted enquiry
demonstrate knowledge around data protection and the duty of confidentiality
understand the purpose of risk identification in relation to some forms of violence against women, domestic abuse and sexual violence
be able to implement the targeted enquiry care pathway

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)

Ask and act group 2

12 November: 9:30am to 12:30pm

Aims and objectives:

recognise the signs and symptoms of violence against women, domestic abuse and sexual violence
understand the purpose of and demonstrate an ability to undertake targeted enquiry
demonstrate knowledge around data protection and the duty of confidentiality
understand the purpose of risk identification in relation to some forms of violence against women, domestic abuse and sexual violence
be able to implement the targeted enquiry care pathway

January 2025

Ask and act group 2

14 January: 9:30am to 12:30pm

Aims and objectives:

recognise the signs and symptoms of violence against women, domestic abuse and sexual violence
understand the purpose of and demonstrate an ability to undertake targeted enquiry
demonstrate knowledge around data protection and the duty of confidentiality
understand the purpose of risk identification in relation to some forms of violence against women, domestic abuse and sexual violence
be able to implement the targeted enquiry care pathway

February 2025

Ask and act group 2

26 February: 1pm to 4pm

Aims and objectives:

recognise the signs and symptoms of violence against women, domestic abuse and sexual violence
understand the purpose of and demonstrate an ability to undertake targeted enquiry
demonstrate knowledge around data protection and the duty of confidentiality
understand the purpose of risk identification in relation to some forms of violence against women, domestic abuse and sexual violence
be able to implement the targeted enquiry care pathway

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: