Free courses for jobs

If you’re aged 19 or over, you could access a level 3 qualification for free. This is part of the support available from the government to help you gain the skills you need to get the job you want,want - whatever your stage of life.

A level 3 qualification is equivalent to an advanced technical certificate or diploma, or A levels.

The qualifications could help you:

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

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

WhatCourses you can studyavailable

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

Who is eligibleEligibility

You can get a free level 3 qualification if you’re:you:

• agedare 19 or over and do not already have a level 3 qualification
• earnalready have a level 3 qualification or higher, but earn below £25,000the low wage threshold of £22,308 (the threshold of £22,308 is an annual gross salary based on the National Living Wage 2024)
• already have a level 3 qualification or higher but are unemployed

In some areas, there may be a slightly different ruleslow aboutwage thethreshold. maximum amount you can earn and the qualifications you already have. Check with your local training provider to find out what the ruleslow arewage threshold in your area.

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.area Setor online. You can set the distance you’reyou are willing to travel. Some canof bethese studiedqualifications part-timeare available to study online or online.part-time.

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

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

YouAlternatively, 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 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 and impartial advice to help with decisions about careers, training courses and work.

If you’reyou are claiming Universal Credit,Credit, you can apply for one of these free courses, ifprovided it will improve your chances of gettingsecuring 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 athis free course, offer, Advanced Learner Loans are available to help you cover the costs of learning, which you pay back when you’reyou 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’reyou are at.

Information for providers and employers

Training providers can view the full list of qualifications included in this offer by goingselecting to the qualifications search service and filtering for ‘Level 3 Free Courses for Jobs’ in the ‘Qualificationsqualifications offer’search section.service.

Information is available for employers about training and employment schemes.