FVC Halloween Family Fun Day also hopes to remove fear of retraining costs

A free Halloween Fun Day event at Forth Valley College’s Alloa Campus also hopes to remove the fear of retraining costs for parents and carers.

It will be Tricks and Treats all the way on Saturday 31 October at the FVC Alloa Campus from 10am-2pm, where an Activity Trail, Halloween Games and Bouncy Castle, Face Painting, Creative Corner and Future Skills information will be available for the local community to come along and celebrate the spookiest day of the year.

Yet the College also aims to dispel funding fears for parents looking to retrain or access courses that could change their careers and working lives. As well as hosting a welcoming family event at the Alloa Campus, staff will combine Halloween activities with friendly advice on Free Future Skills courses.

Families can enjoy the activities while adults can explore training, check eligibility for various funding and receive help to apply. It is hoped the event will build confidence for those hoping to return to learning, reach local families who may not normally visit the College and generate eligible applications for the Scottish Government’s ‘Free to Learn’ Raising Income through Skills & Education (RISE), Training Access Fund (TAF) and New Flexible Workforce Development Fund (NFWDF) courses - which are distributed and delivered in partnership with Scotland's colleges and the Scottish Funding Council (SFC).

Zak Stark FVC’s Head of Commercial Training and Delivery, said: “If you're a parent or carer earning under £33,000 - or receiving benefits -, you can learn something new at Forth Valley College, completely free.

“Backed by the Scottish Government, ‘Free to Learn’ is about gaining new skills to give yourself more options: around the work you do, the time you have, and the direction you take. It puts you in control, which can only benefit your future and your family.

“Whether you're currently in work or not, you can decide what you learn and how much. It could be a day or two to try something out, or part-time learning that builds over time. Big or small, we'll help you choose.

“Not sure where to start? That's what we're here for. Talk to us at the Halloween Fun Day and we'll help you find learning and support that works for you.”

How it works around your life:

• It's free. Learning costs you nothing.
• It fits around you. There are evening and part-time options. Some learning happens in the community or from home, not just on campus.
• It won't affect any benefits. Free part-time learning won't impact your allowances.
• You'll be looked after. Lots of our learners are adults coming back after time away, so you won't be in a classroom full of teenagers. Support is also available for dyslexia, mental health, reading, writing, numbers and English.
• You can start small. Try a taster first. There's no pressure, and no need to know where it leads.

What you learn can be big or small. Try a taster, do a day or two, or build up over time. Choose evenings, part-time, or even learn at home. You won't be in a classroom of teenagers, and there's extra support if you need it, for things like dyslexia and literacy.

You don't need to know where learning leads. You just need to know that gaining new skills gives you and your family more options for the future.

For more information contact 01324-403173 or email fwdf@forthvalley.ac.uk. Alternatively visit Funding Opportunities | Forth Valley College