Free courses for jobs
Details of the free courses and qualifications for adults (19+) available through the Lifetime Skills Guarantee including eligibility criteria and how to apply.
As part of the Prime Minister’s Lifetime Skills Guarantee, if you are 19 or over you can now access a course for free. This is part of the government’s Plan for Jobs.
There are 2 options available to you under the Lifetime Skills Guarantee.
Free level 3 qualifications
If you are 19 or over and do not already have a full level 3 qualification (equivalent to an advanced technical certificate or diploma, or A levels) you can now access a free qualification.
Some of these qualifications are available to study online or part-time.
The courses will help you:
- gain qualifications that are needed and valued by employers
- improve your job prospects
- progress in work
- earn a good wage
Skills bootcamps
Skills bootcamps offer free, flexible courses of up to 16 weeks, an opportunity to build up specialist skills and fast-track to an interview with a local employer.
They are available to you if you are aged 19 or over and are either in work or recently unemployed (some skills bootcamps have additional eligibility criteria).
Skills bootcamps are developed in partnership with employers, colleges and local authorities, to help people develop the skills that are in demand in their local area and get a better job. They include a range of digital courses and technical skills courses, like construction or engineering.
There has been a high demand for places on the skills bootcamps, however, new skills bootcamps will be announced later in the spring. More information about eligibility, subjects available, locations and how to apply for skills bootcamps will be added as soon as it is available.
Eligibility
You can access one of the free level 3 qualifications if you are aged 19 or over and want to achieve your first level 3 qualification, which is equivalent to an advanced technical certificate or diploma, or A levels.
Some of these qualifications are available to study online or part-time. In some instances, you may need to meet admissions criteria for the course you chose to apply for. For example, you may need to have studied a particular subject before at a lower level.
Previously, if you were aged 24 or over, you would have had to pay the course fee for these qualifications. Now, many colleges and training providers have funding available to cover this cost for you.
If you’re 19 to 23 years old you can also access additional qualifications for free. If you’re in this age group, contact your local college or the National Careers Service for further information.
For full details and for the full list of subjects available please visit: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/free-courses-for-jobs#subjects-available