Free courses for jobs

If youyou’re areaged 19 or overover, and do not already have a level 3 qualification or higher, you cancould access a free level 3 qualification.

If you already have a level 3 qualification or higher, but you earn below the National Living Wage annually (£18,525 from April 2022) or are unemployed, you can also access these qualifications for free. This is regardlesspart of anythe qualificationssupport youavailable alreadyfrom have.

Inthe somegovernment areasto therehelp mayyou begain athe slightlyskills differentyou lowneed wage threshold. Check with your local training provider to findget out the lowjob wageyou thresholdwant in- whatever your area.

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The qualifications could help you:

• gain skills that employers value
• improve your job prospects
• earn a goodhigher wage

Eligibility

If you’re 19eligible, to 23 years old, you couldwill alsonot accesshave additionalto qualificationspay for free. If you’re in this age group, contact your locallevel college3 orqualification. theThe Nationalgovernment Careerswill Service for further information.

If you are not eligible for this offer, Advanced Learner Loans are available to help you cover the costs of learning, which you pay back when you are earning over a certain amount.

You can also find out more about other learning opportunities and how the governmentcourse is supporting you to gain skills for life, whatever stage of your career.fees.

Courses available

Qualifications are currently available 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

Eligibility

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• viewalready thehave fulla listlevel of3 freequalification levelor 3higher qualificationsbut includedearn inbelow the offerNational Living Wage annually (£18,525 from April 2022)
• viewalready have a level 3 qualification or higher but are unemployed

In some areas, there may be a slightly different low wage threshold. Check with your local training provider to find out the fulllow listwage ofthreshold providersin offeringyour freearea.

How to apply

If you’re eligible, you will not have to pay for your level 3 qualification. The government will pay the course fees.

1. Use the National Careers Service course finder to see which courses are available for free in your local area or online. You can set the distance you are willing to travel. Some of these qualifications are available to study online or part-time.

2. Contact the college or training provider. You can confirm they offer the qualification you’re interested in, check the admissions criteria and apply for the course in the normal way.

3. If you’re accepted onto the coursecourse, 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.

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If you claimare claiming Universal Credit, you can apply for one of these free courses, provided it will improve your chances of securing work. Many Universal Credit claimants can currently take full-time training for up to 16 weeks and continue to claim benefit. Your local Jobcentre Plus can offer further guidance about this and help to identify the learning that works for you.

If you’re not eligible for this offer, Advanced Learner Loans are available to help you cover the costs of learning, which you pay back when you are earning over a certain amount.

You can also find out more about other learning opportunities and how the government is supporting you to gain skills for life, whatever stage of your career you are at.

Information for providers and employers

Training providers can view the full list of qualifications included in this offer by selecting ‘Level 3 Free Courses for Jobs’ in the qualifications search service.

Information is available for employers about training and employment schemes.