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 and ESOL (English for speakers of other languages) to work-related training, management and leadership training to university courses, you may be able to get free or partially funded training.

Visit the Careers Advice Service website or telephone 0800 100 900.

For face-to-face advice, contact your local Nextstep service. See the Key Contacts section for more information or visit Directgov for information on how to find your nearest office.

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 on 0800 015 0600.

Further Education

Further Education Colleges and other providers of training can help you to improve a range of skills including English, Maths and ESOL, as well as vocational skills that will help you re-skill for a new or better job.

For advice on training and courses contact your local Nextstep service. See the Key Contacts section for contact details or visit Directgov for information on how to find your nearest office.

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 the Directgov web site for more information.

Help for graduates

The Directgov service 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. Contacts for your local university can be found in the Contacts section or you can visit HERO's University Finder