Course description
Explore how you can use your creative skills and passion for cake decorating to start self-employment or small business opportunities.
You will:
- Gain an understanding of the basics of starting a home-based or small food business.
- Build your confidence in presenting and pricing your work.
- Learn the basic knowledge required for employment in areas such as baking, hospitality, or catering.
- Build teamwork and communication through collaborative, hands-on sessions.
- Develop essential skills including time management, precision, and planning.
- Get a self-esteem and motivation boost putting your ideas and skills into practice.
- Take meaningful steps towards employment, independence, and financial resilience.
- Learn high-quality, practical cake decorating skills, including fondant work, buttercream and marzipan covering, royal icing, and sculpted designs.
- Explore specialist techniques such as flower paste roses, teddy bear figures, quilting, fondant drapes, frills, and edible finishing methods like steaming, glazing, and spray toppers.
- Identify your strengths and learn how to recognise and fix your own mistakes.
Course level
First Step - These courses are for complete beginners. You don't need to have studied the subject before or have any previous knowledge.
Who is this course for?
Residents of Calderdale aged 19+ who want to gain knowledge and skills that will prepare them to enter voluntary work or employment.
First Step – The start of your learning journey. Explore how you can build your confidence, connect with others, and learn new skills to start achieving your goals.
What do I need to bring?
You will use Google Classroom throughout your course to view work from your lessons, receive messages from your tutor, and access online resources. You can access this on your smartphone, tablet, or laptop/computer. Your tutor will support you to log-in during your first lesson, and the Learner Support team is always on hand to help with any issues.

Course information
Start date: Various
Time: 6.30pm to 8.30pm
Day: Tuesday
Venue: Heath Campus
Course length: 12 weeks
Course code: Various
Course level: First Step
Fees
Full fee: £120
Fee waiver available: Yes
Additional costs: No
Course dates and times
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Venue | Course code | Start date | Day | Time | How to enrol |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Heath Campus | EM00040 | 9th September 2025 | Tuesday | 6.30pm to 8.30pm | Enrol now |
Heath Campus | EM00045 | 14th February 2026 | Tuesday | 6.30pm to 8.30pm | Enrol now |