If you’re out of work or looking to progress beyond lower paid work, free retraining schemes provided by the Government could bolster your employment chances, improve your pay prospects, and provide skills to work in a sector of interest to you.

Some people are entitled to free classroom ‘Training for Jobs’ – for example, adults over 19 years of age who are unemployed, earn below the National Living Wage (£18,525) or don’t have a level 3 qualification (A or AS levels).

Lots of choice

Over 400 courses are listed on the National Careers Service website, covering everything from Agriculture to Accounting, Business Studies to Biology, Computing to Construction.

Alternatively, ‘Skills Bootcamps’ last up to 16 weeks and are for those either looking to build on previous knowledge of a sector or move into a new one. Courses tend to be in sought-after professions like construction, engineering, or digital and renewable energy. Those completing the course are guaranteed a job interview.

‘Sector-based work academy programmes (SWAPs)’ also provide up to six weeks of work experience in a new industry and are open to those on work-related benefits.

‘Essential’ skills programmes help people without a prior qualification or grounding in Numeracy, Digital and English. For instance, the Essential Digital skills programmes exist for those with little or no computing experience and give basic computer skills, including awareness of online security. The course is free and takes 30-55 hours.

English courses support speakers of other languages (ESOL). The ‘Multiply’ programme offers numeracy courses of various focus and duration.

Courses for those with little or no experience

For younger workers – 16-24-year-olds or those aged 25 with an Education and Health Care Plan – with little or no work experience, there is a ‘Traineeship’ option. This lasts between six weeks and a year. Traineeships provide foundational skills to enter an apprenticeship, which then offers a paid pathway to qualifying for a career.

As part of the traineeship, participants receive training, complete a work experience placement, and receive CV and job application support.

The main learning venues in the county are Gloucestershire College, Cirencester College, and South Gloucestershire and Stroud College (based in Filton). Venues slightly further afield include the Heart of Worcestershire College, Warwickshire College, Solihull College and University Centre, and New Swindon College.

Some vocational courses, such as construction, are held elsewhere by private training providers.

The Government’s Skills For Life website is a great starting point: skillsforlife.campaign.gov.uk/courses