Help with skills and training

Help with skills and training

New skills can help you get on in life. Taking a course can increase your chance of keeping or getting a job, help you move up in your job, enable you to change to a different industry or type of job, or just make your work and life more enjoyable. Depending on your age and circumstances, you may be able to get free training and other support.

Advice on careers, skills, training and related financial support
Whether you are in work or not, you can get independent advice about skills and job possibilities.

From basic skills to work-related training, management and leadership training and university courses, you may be able to get free or partially funded training.

Visit the Careers Advice Service or telephone 0800 100 900.

For face-to-face advice, contact your local Nextstep.

Apprenticeships
Apprenticeships are a way to learn while you work.

You can now do apprenticeships in a wide range of new areas, covering more than 180 different careers and about 80 industry sectors. They are open to women and men and to younger and older workers, and you can apply whether or not you are already in employment.

Contact the Apprenticeships Service, 0800 015 0600.

Financial support while training
Whatever course you are taking, you may be able to get a grant, a loan, help with childcare costs, or other financial help. For example, around two thirds of higher education students should be able to get a full or partial non-repayable grant – ranging from students who receive the Education Maintenance Allowance to learners up to the age of 60 taking their first degree.

Visit the education and learning section of Visit Directgov

Help for graduates
The graduates section of Directgov can give you advice if you are about to graduate anywhere in the UK and are thinking about your career opportunities and what working life might mean, or if you are interested in further study options. It can also advise you if you are working but would like to apply your skills to a different sector.

If you are a recent graduate who is now unemployed, you can also contact any university’s careers advice service. To find local universities visit Hero’s university finder.