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From Passion to Profit: Cake Decorating for Self-Employment (Next Step)

Develop cake decorating skills to help you start your own business.

Please note: Enrolment for Next Step courses will not open until November 2025. Priority will be given to learners who are enrolled on the related First Step course. 

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.

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Course level

Next Step - The aim of these courses is to take your learning and confidence to the next stage. You will learn more about applying your skills further and delve deeper into the subject. For learners who have completed the First Step course.

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. 

Next Step – Take your learning and confidence to the next stage. Delve deeper into the skills and techniques you explored in the First Step course, and make informed decisions about your own progression. 

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. 

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Course information

Start date: 16th December 2025
Time: 6.30pm to 8.30pm
Day: Tuesday
Venue: Heath Campus

Course length: 12 weeks
Course code: EM00043
Course level: Next Step

Fees

Full fee: £144
Fee waiver available: Yes
Additional costs: No

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Additional information

Learning delivery method

We have the skills, resources and dedication to help you access the learning you need to enrich your life. Your course will be delivered by a highly qualified, experienced and knowledgeable tutor via classroom-based learning: face-to-face teaching at Heath Campus or other venue in Calderdale, combined with use of Google Classroom to access electronic learning resources, coursework set by your tutor, collaborative work and online sessions if required.

What will be expected of me?

Your course is either fully or co-funded by the government through the West Yorkshire Combined Authority and all Calderdale Adult Learning (CAL) learning is subject to Ofsted inspection. As such you will be required to carry out various learning activities so that we can ensure you are making the expected progress. 

You may have to undertake additional work outside of session times to extend your learning or comprehension where applicable, and you are expected to be punctual, attend regularly and show commitment to achieve successful completion of the course. 

If your attendance drops below 88% or you have not attended three consecutive classes without informing CAL, you may lose your place.
 

How will I know if I am making progress?

An Initial Assessment activity at the start of the course will enable your tutor to assess your starting point. For non-accredited learning this will be completed using a set tutor assessment relevant to the subject area. For accredited courses this requires learners to complete an assessment on the BKSB learning platform. In every class we acknowledge and accommodate for different levels of skill and experience, so learners will be encouraged to identify and work on their own areas for improvement.

You will have a Learner Journey where, with your tutor, you will set the individual learning targets you would like to meet. Throughout the course you will have opportunities to discuss your progress with your tutor, complete regular assessments and be given feedback (both verbally and written) on work produced.

Support for your progression and next steps

Please refer to the advice given to you by your course tutor towards the end of your course or speak to CAL’s IAG Officer for information on how you can progress. 

You can also visit www.calderdale.gov.uk/adultlearning to see the latest course opportunities available at CAL.  If you need support in literacy, numeracy, IT or employability skills please speak to your tutor in the first instance.

 

Information, advice and guidance

CAL Service has been awarded the matrix Standard, the national quality standard for organisations delivering IAG on learning and work.

CAL aims to help learners progress through their chosen course of study. Tutors, learning support staff and our IAG Officer are always available to give you support to help you decide whether a course is appropriate for you. If the course is not appropriate we will aim to put you in touch with an alternative provider. 

For more detailed and specific careers advice, we work in partnership with the Education Development Trust. You can email them at enquiries@educationdevelopmenttrust.com.  If you feel you would benefit from either an individual appointment with them, or a class visit, please ask your tutor in the first instance. 

You can also contact the National Careers Service on 0800 100 900. Their website is also an excellent source of information on careers, finding a job, courses and learning: National Careers Service.

Contact us

Calderdale Adult Learning
Heath Campus
Unit 4, Free School Lane
Halifax HX1 2PS

Telephone: 01422 392820
Email: cyps.cal@calderdale.gov.uk

Normal office hours: 
Monday to Thursday 9am to 4pm. 
Fridays 9am to 1pm.