Adult skills/life skills classes?
Discussion
Being in a trade and very hands on it is often said in passing/jest that I could teach basic skills.
So do you think there would be a need or want for life skills classes? I’m thinking things like wallpapering, basic decorating, wiring a plug, basic cooking, joinery and building etc
Had a quick internet check and there doesn’t seem to be anything local to me, have found some historic courses but nothing recent - maybe a bad sign!
So do you think there would be a need or want for life skills classes? I’m thinking things like wallpapering, basic decorating, wiring a plug, basic cooking, joinery and building etc
Had a quick internet check and there doesn’t seem to be anything local to me, have found some historic courses but nothing recent - maybe a bad sign!
The easiest thing to do is to put up an ad for a course on a local Facebook group and see what the response is like.
Although there are indeed a shedload of blogs and youtube videos, different people learn in different ways so you might appeal to someone who wants to do it hands-on.
I think it will be important for you to highlight the learning outcomes eg "learn to make your own cupboard" rather than "learn a bit of woodwork".
Although there are indeed a shedload of blogs and youtube videos, different people learn in different ways so you might appeal to someone who wants to do it hands-on.
I think it will be important for you to highlight the learning outcomes eg "learn to make your own cupboard" rather than "learn a bit of woodwork".
Blakeatron said:
... basic decorating, wiring a plug, basic cooking, joinery and building ...
DON'T do this as there's no value in it in everyday life. A controversial view I know, but hear me out.I'd wager that the vast majority of domestic appliances, TVs, laptops, usb chargers etc all come with captive or moulded plugs which discourage rewiring. You may feel that this is a useful skill to have but it's going to be used as often as Pythagoras theorem in every day life for the vast majority of people.
The same goes for decorating and building, how often do people redecorate? Every six months? Every couple of years? Long enough to probably forget most things they've learnt and have to look it up on Youtube anyway.
I would instead suggest pitching it from the viewpoint of "How to identify and fix common issues in the home in a safe and methodical manner".
Fuse box keeps tripping? Here's a logical method to follow to isolate and identify the potential source.
Leaky taps? Here are the common types of isolation valve you may find in your home which you'll need to shut off before replacing the tap washer without flooding the bathroom.
Washing machine broken down again? Here's a list of the common issues and how to fix them.
Above all, make sure that these sessions are as "hands-on" as possible. Get people stuck into physically twisting and turning things, taking them apart and putting them back together again. This is the unique selling point which gives you an advantage over Youtube and forums, as you will be on hand in front of them to give them feedback and point out details which they wouldn't normally see.
eltawater said:
DON'T do this as there's no value in it in everyday life. A controversial view I know, but hear me out.
I'd wager that the vast majority of domestic appliances, TVs, laptops, usb chargers etc all come with captive or moulded plugs which discourage rewiring. You may feel that this is a useful skill to have but it's going to be used as often as Pythagoras theorem in every day life for the vast majority of people.
The same goes for decorating and building, how often do people redecorate? Every six months? Every couple of years? Long enough to probably forget most things they've learnt and have to look it up on Youtube anyway.
I would instead suggest pitching it from the viewpoint of "How to identify and fix common issues in the home in a safe and methodical manner".
Fuse box keeps tripping? Here's a logical method to follow to isolate and identify the potential source.
Leaky taps? Here are the common types of isolation valve you may find in your home which you'll need to shut off before replacing the tap washer without flooding the bathroom.
Washing machine broken down again? Here's a list of the common issues and how to fix them.
Above all, make sure that these sessions are as "hands-on" as possible. Get people stuck into physically twisting and turning things, taking them apart and putting them back together again. This is the unique selling point which gives you an advantage over Youtube and forums, as you will be on hand in front of them to give them feedback and point out details which they wouldn't normally see.
I disagree. I have no idea how to wallpaper, and wouldn't give it a bash solely with YouTube. However, some hands on learning maybe I would do it myself next time rather than pay someone.I'd wager that the vast majority of domestic appliances, TVs, laptops, usb chargers etc all come with captive or moulded plugs which discourage rewiring. You may feel that this is a useful skill to have but it's going to be used as often as Pythagoras theorem in every day life for the vast majority of people.
The same goes for decorating and building, how often do people redecorate? Every six months? Every couple of years? Long enough to probably forget most things they've learnt and have to look it up on Youtube anyway.
I would instead suggest pitching it from the viewpoint of "How to identify and fix common issues in the home in a safe and methodical manner".
Fuse box keeps tripping? Here's a logical method to follow to isolate and identify the potential source.
Leaky taps? Here are the common types of isolation valve you may find in your home which you'll need to shut off before replacing the tap washer without flooding the bathroom.
Washing machine broken down again? Here's a list of the common issues and how to fix them.
Above all, make sure that these sessions are as "hands-on" as possible. Get people stuck into physically twisting and turning things, taking them apart and putting them back together again. This is the unique selling point which gives you an advantage over Youtube and forums, as you will be on hand in front of them to give them feedback and point out details which they wouldn't normally see.
HOWEVER, I think the problem is will people pay for lessons for things like that in the abstract (i.e. when they are not currently in the middle of redecorating?).
I've been gifted a couple of short courses before at https://thebtc.co.uk/ - they're always busy. On the weekends at least it's a mix of more serious DIYers and tradespeople expanding their skillset (eg. decorators who want to learn basic plastering skills). The really basic stuff is probably best left to youtube but having the materials and practical instruction to let people learn how to tackle the more challenging stuff without ruining their house (or a customer's) is worthwhile.
eltawater said:
DON'T do this as there's no value in it in everyday life. A controversial view I know, but hear me out.
I'd wager that the vast majority of domestic appliances, TVs, laptops, usb chargers etc all come with captive or moulded plugs which discourage rewiring. You may feel that this is a useful skill to have but it's going to be used as often as Pythagoras theorem in every day life for the vast majority of people.
The same goes for decorating and building, how often do people redecorate? Every six months? Every couple of years? Long enough to probably forget most things they've learnt and have to look it up on Youtube anyway.
I would instead suggest pitching it from the viewpoint of "How to identify and fix common issues in the home in a safe and methodical manner".
Fuse box keeps tripping? Here's a logical method to follow to isolate and identify the potential source.
Leaky taps? Here are the common types of isolation valve you may find in your home which you'll need to shut off before replacing the tap washer without flooding the bathroom.
Washing machine broken down again? Here's a list of the common issues and how to fix them.
Above all, make sure that these sessions are as "hands-on" as possible. Get people stuck into physically twisting and turning things, taking them apart and putting them back together again. This is the unique selling point which gives you an advantage over Youtube and forums, as you will be on hand in front of them to give them feedback and point out details which they wouldn't normally see.
Yes!! !Fully agree with this.I'd wager that the vast majority of domestic appliances, TVs, laptops, usb chargers etc all come with captive or moulded plugs which discourage rewiring. You may feel that this is a useful skill to have but it's going to be used as often as Pythagoras theorem in every day life for the vast majority of people.
The same goes for decorating and building, how often do people redecorate? Every six months? Every couple of years? Long enough to probably forget most things they've learnt and have to look it up on Youtube anyway.
I would instead suggest pitching it from the viewpoint of "How to identify and fix common issues in the home in a safe and methodical manner".
Fuse box keeps tripping? Here's a logical method to follow to isolate and identify the potential source.
Leaky taps? Here are the common types of isolation valve you may find in your home which you'll need to shut off before replacing the tap washer without flooding the bathroom.
Washing machine broken down again? Here's a list of the common issues and how to fix them.
Above all, make sure that these sessions are as "hands-on" as possible. Get people stuck into physically twisting and turning things, taking them apart and putting them back together again. This is the unique selling point which gives you an advantage over Youtube and forums, as you will be on hand in front of them to give them feedback and point out details which they wouldn't normally see.
Having just become a first owner I'm doing a lot of learning, and not always in the safest way......
Blakeatron said:
To be honest its something that i will probably never do as mental with everything else, just airing my thoughts!
My wife is seriously considering a basic cookery course - we have a kitchen showrooms with fully working displays so could be quite easy to trial.
Get it done. That seems a great way of marketing your main business.My wife is seriously considering a basic cookery course - we have a kitchen showrooms with fully working displays so could be quite easy to trial.
£80 cookery course but "get the £80 refunded if you buy a new kitchen" (I'll leave the details to you).
People get to try your new kitchens and will realise their own kitchen is missing modern functionality or isn't as good as the ones they're using. Boom. Head shot.
I think this is assuming that people actually want these life skills, our educational system is primarily geared toward breeding mindless office workers, these people often don't want life skills, as life skills means manual labour, and manual labour is for "plebs and migrants".
Later generations (last few of decades) increasingly just want to keep their hands clean, rent new cars, never buy 2nd hand stuff, always replace broken stuff with new and "what's DIY?".......... Whilst preaching about the environment.
Later generations (last few of decades) increasingly just want to keep their hands clean, rent new cars, never buy 2nd hand stuff, always replace broken stuff with new and "what's DIY?".......... Whilst preaching about the environment.
Edited by lyonspride on Tuesday 10th July 10:40
Hoofy said:
Integroo said:
HOWEVER, I think the problem is will people pay for lessons for things like that in the abstract (i.e. when they are not currently in the middle of redecorating?).
Dunno. I did an online introduction to dentistry course last year for no reason. 
elanfan said:
Hoofy said:
Integroo said:
HOWEVER, I think the problem is will people pay for lessons for things like that in the abstract (i.e. when they are not currently in the middle of redecorating?).
Dunno. I did an online introduction to dentistry course last year for no reason. 
Blakeatron said:
do you think there would be a need or want for life skills classes? I’m thinking things like wallpapering, basic decorating, wiring a plug, basic cooking, joinery and building etc
There’s a market in London: The Goodlife Centre has been trading successfully for some years now, but London’s obviously a big market. In addition, I think there’s a small but growing niche of hobbyists doing woodwork by hand. Larger branches of WH Smith stock woodwork magazines and you’ll see the courses advertised in them.
Axminster Skills Centre offers theses sorts of courses in both Kent and Devon. They may need tutors.
21TonyK said:
Find a local school or college that does evening classes and pitch a 6 week course to them. If they like it they'll advertise it and they already have a regular audience who will be up for trying something different.
My ex was teaching a foreign language at the local Adult Education Authority (AEA). When I was out of work, she suggested I ought to teach a course, so I set one up teaching people to build and fly radio controlled model aircraft. It was hard work but great fun, and once we got in the swing of it, it was apparent that they were far more interested in learning to fly than how to build them. I used a 'buddy box' dual control system, and in one hectic three hour lesson, I had nine different pupils flying their models flying one after the other. The course ran for a couple of years before we lost the use of the site. Then I ran it on my own for a few more years as one-to- one lessons.From my own experience, here are a few tips:
- Pitch your idea to more than one Adult Education Authority, I think I went for about three, and got one.
- Don't expect anyone to do anything for you. You will need to write all the course notes, arrange your own advertising, get the equipment & materials for your demonstrations (the centre might contrute to this, but don't bank on it).
- Use every free advertising opportunity you can find to promote your course Articles in local papers, local radio & TV stations, DIY magazines, Gumtree etc. Its also free advertising for you if they say your name and what your trades are.
- Send photos of you doing the type of work that you will be teaching. Magazines love this stuff for the editorials.
- If they don't get the minimum number of students, the course won't run.
- Treat it as a marketing opportunity; my ex got loads of translation, interpreting and tuition work as a result of her courses; probably worth far more in the long run than what the AEA paid her for the lessons.
- Consider one-to-one tuition. There is a good chance, that people on your courses, and others, want to learn but would be more comfortable, particularly with stuff like decorating, having you there to guide them and avoid the basic pitfalls.
- Don't expect every demonstration to go right. Provided you build up a good rapport with your pupils and have a sense of humour, they will all take it in their stride.
- When selling the courses to the AEA, stress the health and safety aspects, and how this will be an important part of each demo. They need to have confidence in you.
- Plan well in advance. Courses tend to start in September, you may be able to get one in at late notice, but the earlier the better.
- Courses don't have to be ten week (term length). Some are one day, some two or three days, one day a week.
- Consider pitching a course as a 'new homemaker's course', or similar, rather than just 'painting & decorating'. Once you ask in the first lesson, you will get a good idea what each pupil particularly wants to learn.
- With the pupil's agreement, put together a contacts list for those in the class. The cameraderi amongst my lot was fantastic, and they were clearly all in contact with each other between lessons. This will emcourage them to keep coming along and keep the class viable.
- Run continuation courses, advanced skills courses etc. Once you have the pupils on board, you want to keep giving them a reason to come back for more.
Gassing Station | Business | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff