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    Adults

    Business

    Are you looking for a practical, professional and exciting course to prepare you to succeed in an ever changing workforce? Our range of business courses are ideal for those looking to progress in their current job role or change career.

     

    Communication skills, self-confidence, teamwork and leadership are learned in business classes, which will provide you with highly employable skills to achieve your career goals. Business students have a vast range of experiences that connect them to university progression and employment.

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    Open Event

    West Lancashire College Thursday 25th April 2024 4:30pm - 7:00pm Find out more

    What can I study?

    Accounting and Finance Level 2

    If you are starting out in the Accounting world, or you are looking to secure a promotion, our AAT qualifications will open up many job opportunities.

    Length: 35 Weeks
    Study: Part Time
    Start date: 2nd September 2024
    Location: West Lancashire College

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    Accounting and Finance Level 3

    Our Accounting and Finance Level 3 course is ideal for students who are starting out in the Accounting world or wanting to secure a promotion.

    Length: 35 Weeks
    Study: Part Time
    Start date: 4th September 2024
    Location: West Lancashire College

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    Creating A Business Start-Up Level 2

    If you’re looking to start your own business, our Level 2 certificate in Creating a Business Start-Up will help you to explore business ideas and select the most appropriate option to develop.

    Length: 12 Weeks
    Study: Online Learning
    Location: Online

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    Information, Advice or Guidance Level 2

    Our course in Information, Advice or Guidance Level 2 will teach you how to offer clear and accurate information, advice or guidance and knowing what can be shared legally and professionally can greatly improve outcomes for a business.

    Length: 12 Weeks
    Study: Online Learning
    Start date: 2nd September 2024
    Location: Online

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    Lean Organisation Management Techniques Level 2

    This Level 2 Certificate in Lean Organisation Management Techniques aims to improve business performance through continuous professional development (Kaizen).

    Length: 12 Weeks
    Study: Online Learning
    Location: Online

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    Principles of Business Administration Level 2

    Improve your business knowledge and develop practical skills with the Business Administration course.

    Length: 12 Weeks
    Study: Online Learning
    Location: Online

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    Principles of Customer Service Level 2

    If you work in customer service, this course can help you improve your skills and make sure every customer has a great experience.

    Length: 12 Weeks
    Study: Online Learning
    Start date: 15th February 2023
    Location: Online

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    Principles of Team Leading Level 2

    This qualification will teach you the principles of team leading, how to use different styles of leadership to enhance your team's performance and how to motivate team members to get the best out of them.

    Length: 12 Weeks
    Study: Online Learning
    Location: Online

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    Understanding Business Improvement Techniques Level 2

    Our online Level 2 certificate in Understanding Business Improvement Techniques will help you to develop effective team working practices alongside principles and techniques that support workplace organisations.

    Length: 12 Weeks
    Study: Online Learning
    Location: Online

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    Understanding Workplace Violence and Harassment Level 2

    With our Level 2 Certificate in Understanding Workplace Violence and Harassment qualification, you will gain an understanding of how to create a safe working environment.

    Length: 12 Weeks
    Study: Online Learning
    Location: Online

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    Contact our team

    Phone: 01695 52300
    Email: enquiries@westlancs.ac.uk
    Apply Now Visit us at an event

    Good to know

    Meet our students and tutors

    Catherine Shiel, Business Lecturer

    Catherine Shiel

    Business Lecturer

    I feel privileged to work in a sector that is vital in transforming lives. I always aim to provide a learning experience that goes beyond the classroom with 'real world' experiences that encourage innovation, creativity and thinking to equip learners with the skills for success in an ever-changing world.

    Charlie, Business Student

    Charlie

    Business Student

    I joined West Lancashire College as it was my local college and offered the course I wanted. The course is great and my teachers work continuously hard to help me achieve the results I desire. The Business BTEC has given me many transferable skills and on completion of my course, I hope to go to Edge Hill University to study a Bachelor Honours in Film Studies.

    Jack, Apprentice

    Jack

    Business Apprentice

    I have been an apprentice for Building Careers UK under West Lancashire College for almost a year and I have found it to be the best path. The work I have completed for the Apprenticeship has allowed me to fully understand my role and other roles within the organisation. The support I have received from West Lancashire College and my tutor has been excellent and really pushed me towards getting the best grade possible, with a high quality of work. I would recommend this path to anyone who is unsure of where they want to go after high school or college.

    Jess, Business Student

    Jess

    Business Student

    The Business course has been great for my future career aspirations as it has given me the UCAS points I need to be offered a place at Edge Hill University. My tutors Catherine and Ruth have been so supportive throughout my course and I am looking forward to taking my next step to university with my ultimate goal to become a Film Producer.

    Melissa, Apprentice

    Melissa

    Business Apprentice

    This apprenticeship has improved my confidence greatly. I am learning important transferable skills that will help me in my work place now and in the future. Not only has the apprenticeship helped me in my job role, but has also given me the opportunity to learn how other businesses work and take tips from them to better my own work. I feel supported by my tutor Anjuman, as she guides me through this course.

    Oliver, Apprentice

    Oliver

    Business Apprentice

    I would just like to say the apprenticeship is fantastic and I am really enjoying my time here at West Lancashire College. I am learning so many new things that have helped me to not only build, but to enhance my skills towards my full time job and in life. The Apprenticeship tutor, Anjuman is so friendly and easy to get on with. She makes me feel very welcome at West Lancashire College.

    Ruth Winstanley, Business Lecturer

    Ruth Winstanley

    Business Lecturer

    I have had the privilege of working for West Lancashire College since 2004. I am the course leader for the AAT accountancy qualifications in addition to being a lecturer on the Business courses. I run my own accountancy business and hold the position of management accountant working in industry during the rest of my week. My informed knowledge and experience ensure that students receive specialist and up-to-date teaching of finance and business units. My specialisms are accounting, finance, law, and business decision making.

    Wendy Bennett

    Wendy Bennett

    Assistant Principal

    I am an Assistant Principal for the 16-18 provision at WLC, overseeing Health, Education and Digital, Creative and Service Industries, Construction and Advanced Engineering. I have extensive experience as a leader and college manager and have been working in education for 21 years. My background is health, education and care. I'm the college strategic lead for T Levels and curriculum development and I'm passionate about the development of new Study Programmes that enhances progression to higher education or employment for young people. As a leader and manager, I support both colleagues, across all departments and learners, creating opportunities that support the development of the required knowledge, skills and behaviours to become successful members of our community and our wider society by being prepared to make positive personal and professional contributions.

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    What can I do with a qualification in Business?

    Financial Managers and Directors Purchasing Managers and Directors Human Resource Managers and Directors Managers and Directors in Retail and Wholesale Conservation Professionals Environment Professionals Research and Development Managers Chartered and Certified Accountants Management Consultants and Business Analysts Business and Financial Project Management Professionals

    Daily tasks:

    • Assesses and advises on factors affecting business performance.
    • Determines staffing levels appropriate for accounting activities.
    • Plans external and internal audit programmes, arranges for the collection and analysis of accounting, budgetary and related information, and manages the company.
    • Participates in the formulation of strategic and long-term business plans, assesses the implications for the organisation financial mechanisms and oversees their implementation.

    Median Salary

    £57,087 View more

    Daily tasks:

    • Stays abreast of and ensures adherence to relevant legislation regarding tendering and procurement procedures.
    • Researches and identifies new products and suppliers.
    • Interviews suppliers.
    • Arranges for quality checks of incoming goods and ensures suppliers deliver on time.
    • Negotiates prices and contracts with suppliers and draws up contract documents.
    • Devises purchasing policies, decides on whether orders should be put out to tender and evaluates suppliers.
    • Determines what goods, services and equipment need to be sourced.

    Median Salary

    £45,938 View more

    Daily tasks:

    • Stays abreast of relevant legislation, considers its impact on the organisation.
    • Considers alternative work procedures to improve productivity.
    • Examines and reports on company and departmental structures, chains of command, information flows, etc. and evaluates efficiency of existing operations.
    • Develops and administers salary, health and safety and promotion policies.
    • Undertakes industrial relations negotiations with employees.
    • Provides or arranges for provision of training courses.
    • Oversees the monitoring of employee performance and career development needs.
    • Oversees the preparation of job descriptions, drafts advertisements and interviews candidates.
    • Determines staffing needs.

    Median Salary

    £44,202 View more

    Daily tasks:

    • Examines quality of merchandise and ensures that effective use is made of advertising and display facilities.
    • Authorises payment for supplies received and decides on vending price, discount rates and credit terms.
    • Oversees the maintenance of financial and other records and controls security arrangements for the premises.
    • Ensures customer complaints and queries regarding sales and service are appropriately handled.
    • Ensures that adequate reserves of merchandise are held and that stock keeping is carried out efficiently.
    • Liaises with other staff to provide information about merchandise, special promotions etc. to customers.
    • Appoints staff, assigns tasks and monitors and reviews staff performance.

    Median Salary

    £27,611 View more

    Daily tasks:

    • Carries out research into aspects of the natural world.
    • Prepares applications for funding to other organisations, and assessing applications for funding from other organisations.
    • Promotes conservation issues via educational talks, displays, workshops and literature and liaison with the media.
    • Maintains and develops knowledge in relevant policy areas within a national and European legislative context.
    • Liaises with other groups in the selection and maintenance of the Protected Site System including Special Areas of Conservation (SACs), Ramsar sites, and Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) and National Nature Reserves (NNRs).
    • Provides advice and information to government at national and local levels, clients, landowners, planners and developers to facilitate the protection of the natural environment.
    • Implements, evaluates and monitors schemes for the management and protection of natural habitats.
    • Carries out environmental impact assessments and field surveys.
    • Promotes and implements local and national biodiversity action plans, particularly with regard to threatened species and habitats.

    Median Salary

    £30,492 View more

    Daily tasks:

    • Provides professional guidance to clients, government agencies, regulators and other relevant bodies, having regard for sustainable approaches and solutions.
    • Implements, reviews and advises on regulatory and legislative standards, guidelines and policies.
    • Assists organisations to conduct their activities in an environmentally appropriate manner.
    • Communicates scientific and technical information to relevant audiences in an appropriate form, via reports, workshops, educational events, public hearings.
    • Carries out environmental audits and environmental impact assessments.
    • Carries out environment-related desk-based research and fieldwork to collect, analyse and interpret data to determine their validity, quality and significance.
    • Implements remediation works.
    • Advises on and provides solutions for mitigating the effects of such contamination.
    • Identifies contamination of land, air or water and assesses any adverse impact on the environment.

    Median Salary

    £35,619 View more

    Daily tasks:

    • Monitors the standards of scientific and technical research undertaken by the research team.
    • Plans work schedules, assigns tasks and delegates responsibilities to the research and development team.
    • Develops research methodology, implements and reports upon research investigations undertaken.
    • Liaises with production departments to investigate and resolve manufacturing problems.
    • Establishes product design and performance objectives in consultation with other business functions.

    Median Salary

    £44,639 View more

    Daily tasks:

    • Conducts investigations and advises management on financial aspects of productivity, stock holding, sales, new products, etc.
    • Prepares periodic accounts, budgetary reviews and financial forecasts.
    • Liaises with management and other professionals to compile budgets and other costs.
    • Evaluates financial information for management purposes.
    • Conducts financial investigations concerning insolvency, fraud, possible mergers, etc..
    • Prepares tax returns, advises on tax problems and contests disputed claim before tax official.
    • Audits accounts and book-keeping records.
    • Prepares financial documents and reports for management, shareholders, statutory or other bodies.
    • Plans and oversees implementation of accountancy system and policies.

    Median Salary

    £40,015 View more

    Daily tasks:

    • Runs workshops, and addresses seminars, conferences and the media to present results of research activity or to express professional views.
    • Advises governments, commercial enterprises, organisations and other clients in light of research findings.
    • Determines the appropriate method of data collection and research methodology, analyses and interprets information gained and formulates and implements recommendations and solutions.
    • Identifies problems concerned with business strategy, policy, organisation, procedures, methods and markets.
    • Assesses the functions, objectives and requirements of the organisation seeking advice.

    Median Salary

    £43,500 View more

    Daily tasks:

    • Reports regularly on progress to the client or to senior managers.
    • Ensures that each stage of the project is progressing on time, on budget and to the right quality standards.
    • Negotiates with contractors and suppliers for materials and services.
    • Selects and leads a project team.
    • Draws up a detailed plan for how to achieve each stage of the project.
    • Agrees timescales, costs and resources needed.
    • Finds out what the client or company wants to achieve.

    Median Salary

    £48,999 View more