Free courses for jobs
Find out how to apply for a free qualification that could help you gain skills and improve your wage and job prospects.
Applies to England
If you’re aged 19 or over, you could apply for a free:
- level 3 qualification
- level 2 qualification in construction, engineering or manufacturing
These qualifications could help you:
- gain skills that employers value
- improve your job prospects
- earn a higher wage
This is part of the support available from the government to help you gain the skills you need to get the job you want, whatever your stage of life.
If you’re eligible, you will not have to pay for your qualification. The government will pay the course fees.
What you can study
Level 3 qualifications
Study for a level 3 qualification in:
- accounting and finance
- agriculture
- building and construction
- business management
- childcare and early years
- digital
- engineering
- environmental conservation
- health and social care
- horticulture and forestry
- hospitality and catering
- manufacturing technologies
- mathematics and statistics
- medicine and dentistry
- public services
- science
- teaching and lecturing
- transportation operations and maintenance
- warehousing and distribution
Level 2 qualifications
Study for a level 2 qualification in:
- construction
- engineering
- manufacturing
Who is eligible
You can get a free qualification if you’re:
- aged 19 or over
- earn below £25,750 or are unemployed
In some areas, there may be slightly different rules about the maximum amount you can earn and the qualifications you already have. Check with your local training provider to find out what the rules are in your area.
How to apply
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Use the National Careers Service course finder to see which courses are available for free in your local area. Set the distance you’re willing to travel. Some can be studied part-time or online.
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Contact the college or training provider. Confirm they offer the qualification you’re interested in, check the admissions criteria and apply for the course.
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If you’re accepted, you will not have to pay a course fee. You may also be able to get help to pay for childcare, travel and other costs.
You can also search for courses on your local college’s or training provider’s website. You can view the full list of providers offering free places for level 2 or 3 qualifications.
Get help with careers and training
If you’re 19 to 23 years old, you could also access additional qualifications for free. The National Careers Service offers free advice to help with decisions about careers, training courses and work.
If you’re claiming Universal Credit, you can apply for one of these free courses, if it will improve your chances of getting work. Many Universal Credit claimants can take full-time training for up to 16 weeks and continue to claim benefit. Your local Jobcentre Plus can offer guidance about this and help identify the learning that works for you.
If you’re not eligible for a free course, Advanced Learner Loans are available to help you cover the costs of learning, which you pay back when you’re earning over a certain amount.
You can also find out about other learning opportunities and how the government is supporting you to gain skills for life, whatever stage of your career you’re at.
Information for providers and employers
Training providers can view the full list of qualifications included in this offer by going to the qualifications search service and filtering for ‘Level 3 Free Courses for Jobs’ in the ‘Qualifications offer’ section.
Information is available for employers about training and employment schemes.