Proposed Courses and Workshops
Our courses and workshops are designed to help people build confidence, practical skills and real-world experience through hands-on learning. From introductory safety and tool use to more specialist heritage skills, learners can progress at a pace that works for them, with clear pathways into further training, work or self reliance.
Foundation & Core Skills
These courses provide a supportive starting point people who are new to workshop environments or returning to hands-on learning. The focus is on building confidence, safe working practices and essential skills that form the foundation for further training, progression and independence.
Introduction to Hand Tools and Workshop Safety
Entry Level - Essential Foundation Course.
This course is designed for complete beginners and those lacking confidence with tools. Learners are introduced to common hand tools such as hammers, chisels, saws, files, spanners and measuring tools.
A strong focus is placed on safe working practices, correct tool selection, tool care and understanding risks within a workshop environment. By The end of the course, learners will feel more confident working safely and independently with basic tools.
Ideal for: beginners, young people, returners to work.
Outcomes: Confidence, safety awareness, foundation practical skills.
Power Tool Safety and Basic Use
Beginner - Safety Focused Practical Course
This course introduces learners to commonly used power tools including drills, grinders, sanders, jigsaws and bench-mounted equipment. Emphasis is placed on risk assessment, PPE, correct set up, safe operation and shutdown procedures.
Learners will practice under close supervision and gain a clear understanding of when power tools are appropriate - and when they are not.
Ideal for: beginners progressing from hand tools
Outcomes:safe tool use, risk awareness, practical competence
Repair, Reuse & Practical Life Skills
This course focuses on everyday practical skills such as basic household repairs, maintnence, reuse and upcycling. Learners develop problem-solving skills while reducing waste and promoting sustainability.
Ideal for: all ages and abilities
Outcomes: independence, confidence, environmental awareness
Employability Through Practical Skills
Designed to support those who are unemployed or not in education or training (NEET), this course combines practical workshop skills with teamwork, timekeeping, communication and confidence building.
Learners are supported to recognise their strengths and explore pathways into further training, apprenticeships or employment.
Ideal for: young people, career changers
Outcomes: confidence, readiness for work, direction
Practical & Trade Skills
These courses focus on developing practical, hands-on skills that are directly transferrable to everyday life, further training and employment. Learners build confidence through making, repairing and maintaining real objects, while developing safe working practices, problem-solving skills and an understanding of how things work.
Basic Woodworking and Joinery
Learners are introduced to traditional woodworking and joinery techniques using both hand and basic power tools. This course covers measuring, marking out, cutting, fixing and finishing
Participants will complete small practical projects such as shelves, stools or storage boxes while learning transferrable skills used in construction, maintenence and furniture making.
Ideal for: beginners and improvers
Outcomes: practical woodworking skills, problem solving, pride in making
Basic Mechanics & Vehicle Maintenence
This practical course introduces learners to mechanical principles through hands-on work with small engines and vehicles. Topics include basic servicing, tool use, fault finding, and safe working practices.
The course aims to demystify mechanics and build confidence for those interested in automotive, agricultural or engineering pathways.
Ideal for: beginners, practical learners
Outcomes:mechanical understanding, problem solving, employability skills
Introduction to Blacksmithing & Metalwork
A hands-on introduction to basic blacksmithing techniques including, forging, shaping, punching and finishing matal. Learners will use traditional tools and methods to create simple items such as hooks or brackets.
Safety around heat, tools and materials is central to the course, alongside an appreciation of historic metalworking techniques.
Ideal for: beginners, creative learners
Outcomes:confidence, co-ordination, respect for traditional craft
Heritage & Specialist Skills
These courses focus on traditional and specialist skills that are increasingly rare but still highly valued. Learning is slower-paced and detail focused, with an emphasis on craftsmanship, heritage techniques and the care required when working with historic materials, structures and machinery.
Heritage Joinery & Traditional Wood Techniques
This course explores traditional joinery methods used in heritage buildings and boatbuilding, such as mortice and tenon joints, dovetails and frame construction.
Learners gain an appreciation of craftsmanship, accuracy and patience, while developing skills that are increasingly rare but still highly valued in restoration and conservation work.
Ideal for: those interested in heritage trades
Outcomes: traditional skills, attention to detail, cultural preservation
Stonemasonry & Traditional Building Skills
This course introduces learners to the fundamentals of traditional stone masonry as used in historic buildings, boundary walls and coastal structures across Whitby and North Yorkshire. Participants will learn the basics of stone identification, hand tool use and lime mortar techniques.
A strong emphasis is placed on safe tool use, manual handling, accuracy and patience, alongside an appreciation of the craftsmanship required to work with natural materials.
Ideal for: heritage and construction interests, conservation-minded learners
Outcomes: confidence, patience, respect for traditional craft
Classic Vehicle & heritage Engineering
Focused on older vehicles and machinery, this course introduces learners to the principles of maintaining and restoring heritage vehicles.
Participants learn about older mechanical systems, basic restoration techniques and the importance of preserving historic engineering.
Ideal for: enthusiasts, heritage learners
Outcomes:specialist knowledge, patience, tachnical appreciation
Signwriting & Traditional Finishes
Learners are introduced to traditional techniques including layout, lettering styles, brush control and paint application.
The course explores the role of signwriting in local heritage, trades and high streets and allows learners to create their own painted signs or boards.
Ideal for: creative learners
Outcomes: creativity, precious,confidence