Training Providers
Training Providers can offer a range of education and employment pathways for young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). This supports you to achieve qualifications and build skills as you prepare for adulthood. Providers can offer flexible, tailored learning opportunities that focus on developing practical skills, confidence, and independence.
Training Providers often deliver vocational training, employability skills, and life skills in smaller, more personalised environments. This approach can help learners progress at their own pace and achieve qualifications that open doors to further education and employment.
Our directory of training providers showcases organisations offering a range of vocational routes and employability pathways across the county and in neighbouring areas.
Before you explore the training options, read our top tips for getting started.
Top tips for exploring your options
If you need support to explore which training provider might be right for you, please read the following information.
Selecting the right training provider is an important decision. Here are some key points to consider:
Specialist Support
Ask the provider about their experience of working with SEND learners and the tailored support that they offer such as one-to-one mentoring, assistive technology, or adapted learning materials.
Accredited Courses
Ensure the courses lead to recognised qualifications or skills that align with your goals and aspirations, whether that’s employment, further education, or independent living.
Environment and Class Size
Smaller groups and supportive environments can make a big difference. If possible, visit the setting to observe the environment and get a feel for it.
Transition Planning
Ask how the provider supports transitions into work, apprenticeships, or further study. Independent Training Providers (IPTs) often have strong links with employers and community organisations.
Funding and Transport
Understand what funding options are available and consider your transport arrangements.
Feedback and Outcomes
Look for reviews and success stories and consider how the provider has supported other young people to achieve their goals.
Training Provider Directory
These providers offer post-16 pathways in the Derbyshire and surrounding areas:
Access Training offers a range of courses and apprenticeships in the Nottingham Area.
Information for Learners
Brackenfield Learning for Life Post-16 Provision offers specialised education for young people aged 14 to 19 years old with Severe Learning Disabilities (SLD), focusing on preparing them for employment. The program includes tailored curriculums, life skills development, and work experience opportunities with local employers. Students benefit from a range of support services, including speech and language therapy, occupational therapy, and mental health interventions.
Chameleon School of Construction offers courses in Bricklaying, Plastering, Tiling, and Motor Vehicle. There are centres in Swadlincote, Burton, Staveley, Ripley and Pinxton.
Funded Qualifications | Diplomas and NVQs | Short Courses | CSCS Training
CT Skills offers a range of courses and apprenticeships in the Nottingham Area, including accountancy and business, children and education, customer services, digital marketing and more.
Apprenticeships | Online Courses
DACES deliver a wide range of courses and education activities across the county, face-to-face in our Derbyshire County Council education centres, and online. This offer includes study programmes for 14 to 19-year-olds, and qualifications and skills programmes for adults.
Learning for 14 to 19-year-olds | Available Courses
Broomfield Hall, part of Derby College, offers a range of courses and apprenticeships relating to Animal Care, Agriculture, Arboriculture, and Equine Studies. Students at Broomfield Hall are on a variety of learning pathways, leading to positive destinations in the world of work, further and higher education.
Apprenticeships | School Leaver Courses | Learning Support Services
EMA Training offers apprenticeships in a range of sectors including business administration, finance and accounting, data and technology, finance and accounting, and marketing.
Courses | Parents & Carers Guide to Apprenticeships
Inspire College has 9 bases across Nottinghamshire and offers a range of courses including personal and social development, employability, health and social care, carpentry and joinery, bricklaying and construction, hospitality and catering, digital promotion for business, and sport.
Courses | Prospectus
Juniper Training offers vocational pathways, pre-apprenticeship study programmes, and apprenticeships. Juniper Training also offers a SEND Provision for learners with an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) called Preparation 4 Success: offering maths and English, work experience, and development of personal growth and independence skills. There are centres in Derby and Chesterfield: please check the information below for details of the courses offered at each centre.
Derby Training Centre | Chesterfield Training Centre | SEND Provision Preparation for Success
Learning Curve offers hair, beauty and barbering courses, and have academies based in the Chesterfield and Derby area. They also offer apprenticeship pathways in hairdressing and barbering.
Hairdressing | Barbering | Makeup | Nails | Beauty Therapy
Martec Training offers apprenticeships and vocational courses in the Staffordshire Area.
Apprenticeships | Study Programmes
Nottingham Training Group provides traineeships, apprenticeships and post-16 study programmes across a number of sectors, including hair and beauty, childcare, social care, business, and customer services. They are based in the Worksop area.
Courses | Apprenticeships
Prostart offers a 16-18 study programme and a range of apprenticeships in the Long Eaton area. The study programme offers a potential route into an apprenticeship or employment, and includes maths, English and employability.
Apprenticeships | 16-18 Study Programmes
SCL College offers courses in sports, health and fitness, business, education and performing arts. There is an education centre based at Chesterfield Football Club.
Education Prospectus 2025/2026
Sheaf Training provide post-16 education and vocational training for young people with SEND in the Sheffield area. They offer a range of courses from entry level.
Post-16 Course Information
Stubbing Court Training offers apprenticeships and education programmes in the equine industry. Stubbin Court Training is based in Chesterfield and offers training at a number of equine yards across the region.
Apprenticeships
YMCA Key College Derbyshire
YMCA Key College Derbyshire provides a range of accredited full-time vocational courses, including childcare, hospitality and catering, retail, practical work skills, health and social care, and sports, fitness and health. There are campuses at Derby and Ilkeston. They also have a provision called Supported Futures for learners who are aged 16-24 who are not in education, employment and training (NEET) and have an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP).
Courses | Supported Futures