THEY SAY if you find a job you love, you’ll never work a day in your life – and whether you’re looking for a career you’ll relish, a change of direction or simply a fresh challenge, the government is offering a range of training opportunities to help adults across England gain Skills for Life.
These free or part-funded schemes could offer a course or qualification that’s right for you.
With information, advice and guidance available from the National Careers Service, you’ll be able to make decisions on learning, training and work, whatever your stage in life.
You might decide to open up more opportunities by building essential skills, earn your way through an apprenticeship or brush up on your numeracy.
There are hundreds of choices designed to help you boost your career and your confidence. And with the cost of living rising, extra training or qualifications could help you earn more, too.
Here are just a few of the free or low-cost options available that could help you unlock your potential through learning.
Unlock your potential and open the door to a better future with the government’s Skills for Life
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Marta Erdoss, 34, lives in Walthamstow with her son Benjamin, who is seven
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Free Courses for Jobs
What is it? Aimed at adults aged 19 and over, these courses are for anyone who doesn’t have existing A-levels or their equivalent, or who earns below £18,525 or is unemployed. Courses vary from a few weeks to a year – you could also qualify for help with childcare, travel and other costs.
What can you learn? Qualifications are available in a wide range of sectors, including digital, health and social care, construction, catering and agriculture. Government analysis estimates that gaining a Level 3 qualification could boost your income by 16 per cent on average.
What is it? Multiply offers free courses and support to build confidence with numbers. To qualify, you need to be aged 19 or over, without a maths GCSE at grade C or above (or its equivalent). Courses start from beginner levels and are available on a part-time or intensive basis and as drop-in taster sessions.
What can you learn? The ability to use numbers is an important skill for work and everyday life. Multiply can support you with managing your money, helping children with homework and it offers the chance to gain maths qualifications.
Multiply
What is it? Skills Bootcamps are free, flexible courses that last up to 16 weeks, giving adults aged 19 and over the chance to build or update skills that employers are looking for. The courses lead to an offer of a job interview, which means they’re a great way to change sectors or get a better job.
What can you learn? Skills Bootcamps are available in digital, green and technical skills, such as rail or engineering.
Skills Bootcamps
What is it? Apprenticeships are jobs with training that allow the apprentice to develop the knowledge and skills they need while getting paid. They last from one to five years and are suitable for anyone aged 16 or over who isn’t already in full-time education.
What can you learn? There are hundreds of apprenticeships to choose from across a wide range of occupations, from data science and business to education and childcare.
Apprenticeships
What is it? These courses will help you gain the literacy, numeracy and digital skills you need for work and everyday life, and are recognised by employers.
What can you learn? If you are aged 19 and over and do not have a GCSE in English or maths at grade C/4 or above (or equivalent), you can study and take GCSEs or Functional Skills qualifications for free.
Essential Skills
If you have little or no experience using computers and other digital devices or have low digital skills, you can study an Essential Digital Skills qualification for free.
“You just need to take the first step”
“I moved to London from Hungary in 2014 and started working in a factory. When I had my son, I wanted to find a job I could organise around being a mum, so I went to an open day at Waltham Forest College.
“The staff and students were really helpful, explaining all my options, and I enrolled to study Level 1 childcare.
“I was nervous at first, because I didn’t know if my English would be good enough. But I got a lot of encouragement and everybody was just so supportive.
“Following my Level 1 in childcare, I went on to Levels 2 and 3, while also completing Functional Skills courses in maths and English.
“I was originally planning on going into childcare, but watching documentaries about the ambulance service made me realise I want to be a paramedic. It feels like a great way of supporting my community.
“To go on to university, I knew I needed English and maths GCSEs, so I started studying for those.
“I’m always wondering if I’m going to be good enough, so I was very happy when I passed. It’s been a huge confidence boost.
“Next, I did an A-level in biology, and in 2023 I’ll start a degree in paramedic science at Greenwich University.
“If anyone is thinking of taking that first step into adult education, I’d tell them an English phrase I love: ‘The world is your oyster.’
“If you have a dream, don’t be afraid; just go for it. I never would have thought I’d be in this position eight years ago, but here I am!”
Find the right path for you and
unlock a better way ahead at
gov.uk/skillsforlife