Wolverhampton Adult Education Service (WAES) is increasing activity to help prepare learners for employment and/or vocational study through the design of more intensive courses - with more hours of study over a shorter period of time. The case study provides both the context and background for this work and, in particular, provides a focus on the ‘Steps to Employment’ programme aimed at people with low level literacy and numeracy skills who are unable to access the extensive number of Level 1 courses available within the Wolverhampton area.