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 £32,371 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.

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 £32,371 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

Careers Wales: Personal Learning Accounts (external website)

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

Training courses 2025 / 2026

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 2025

Job evaluation training for managers

9 April: 9:15am to 12:30pm

Please contact Sharon Hughes at payandrewards@denbighshire.gov.uk if you're interested in being a panel member a few times a year. All requests will be subject to manager’s approval.

Lead with purpose, authenticity and adaptability - grow your resilience!

15 April: 1pm to 4pm

Join this interactive online workshop to learn how purpose, authenticity, and adaptability can boost your personal resilience amid challenges and change. Designed for professionals with 5+ years of leadership experience aspiring to senior roles.

Book onto this course via the Academi Wales website (external website).

This course is provided by Academi Wales.

Leadership in a nutshell

16 April: 12:30pm to 1:30pm

This workshop is perfect for those in their first leadership role, providing essential principles and practices to enhance your influence and lead change effectively.

Book onto this course via the Academi Wales website (external website).

This course is provided by Academi Wales.

Health and safety and the Employment Rights Bill - preparing for a new era in H and Safety compliance

23 April: 12pm (midday)

The forthcoming Employment Rights Bill is set to bring significant changes to the health and safety (H∓S) landscape, placing greater responsibilities on employers to ensure compliance and safeguard their workforce.

Join us for this essential webinar where our panel of experts will explore the key implications of the Employment Rights Bill on H&S compliance and provide practical strategies for businesses to stay ahead of regulatory requirements.

This course is provided by vinciworks.

May 2025

AWCIC - Learn and Share: Reaching net zero in Wales

1 May: 11:30am to 12:30pm

This session will focus on key findings from recent publications by the Wales Centre for Public Policy (WCPP) on Net Zero 2035 (external website) and exploring how local authorities can lead the transition to net zero (external website). We will:

introduce the WCPP and the work we do with public services in Wales
run through our role supporting the Net Zero 2035 Challenge Group and some of the overarching findings from our research into how the transition may be sped up
discuss how local authorities can support the transition looking at both their role in supporting emissions reductions, and innovative finance opportunities
share information about our forward work programme in this area

Book onto this course via the Academi Wales website (external website).

This course is provided by Academi Wales.

Your financial wellbeing

6 May: 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 onto this course via linc

This training is provided by Affinity Connect.

Online safety

7 May: 10am to 11:30am

This session will be delivered in English.

This session will introduce you to foundation online safety skills that you can use to help others build strong safe foundations of online safety while learning digital skills:

keeping safe on websites
understanding suspicious emails
password safety
understanding online privacy
virus awareness
finding reliable information online

Along with the training we will also provide you with resources you can use to learn more about online safety.

This training is provided by Digital Communities Wales.

Digital and health literacy

28 May: 10am to 11:30am

This session will be delivered in English.

What you’ll take away from the session:

practical strategies and tools to navigate the online world of health and well-being and consider what digital skills are needed to access healthcare online
introduce online health resources, including key NHS Wales and Public Health Wales websites
explore the transferable digital skills required to access health information online
how to consciously access reliable health information and digital health tools

This training is provided by Digital Communities Wales.

June 2025

Welsh on the web – inspiring digital activities to use Welsh online

4 June: 2pm to 3:30pm

This session will be delivered in Welsh.

The aim of this session is to introduce you to the range of online Welsh resources available and to inspire Welsh and English speakers to use Welsh meaningfully on the web. During the session, we will:

introduce ways to use Welsh when you are on the internet or using digital tools
demonstrate the resources available for entertainment, information and language support
provide an overview of online resources to support Welsh learners

This training is provided by Digital Communities Wales.

Planning for a positive retirement

18 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 onto this course via linc

This training is provided by Affinity Connect.

July 2025

Planning for a positive retirement

17 July: 9:30am to 12pm (midday) (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 onto this course via linc

This training is provided by Affinity Connect.

August 2025

Online safety and critical thinking

7 August: 10am to 11:30am

This session will be delivered in English.

This session will introduce you to foundation online safety skills that you can use to help others build strong safe foundations of online safety while learning digital skills:

keeping safe on websites
understanding suspicious emails
finding reliable information online
discuss critical thinking skills

Along with the training we will also provide you with resources you can use to learn more about online safety.

This training is provided by Digital Communities Wales.

September 2025

Ask and act group 2

8 September: 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

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.

Planning for a positive retirement

19 September: 1pm to 3:30pm (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 onto this course via linc

This training is provided by Affinity Connect.

October 2025

Octoer 2025

Your financial wellbeing

8 October: 1pm to 2:30pm

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 onto this course via linc

This training is provided by Affinity Connect.

November 2025

Planning for a positive retirement

18 November: 1pm to 3:30pm (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 onto this course via linc

This training is provided by Affinity Connect.

December 2025

Ask and act group 2

8 December: 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

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.

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.

Supply Chain Sustainability School

The website is free to register and provides a wide range of Continuing Professional Development (CPD)-accredited training formats to suit your needs. This helps to ensure that you have access to the knowledge and skills needed to excel in sustainability.

Visit the Supply Chain Sustainability School (external website)

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 HRdirect@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: