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Training for the futureHave you set your mind on working within a specific industry, but don’t yet have the right expertise? Perhaps you feel a lack of skills in certain areas is limiting your work opportunities? Learning or training could be the answer, and this section gives information on the opportunities.
Everybody has skills that they can bring to a job and that employers will value. But if it’s been a while since you worked, you have been in the same job or field for some time, or you are starting a career, learning and training can help you:
- build on the skills you’ve already got
- get new skills, and
- get qualifications that employers are looking for.
All these could increase the range of jobs you can apply for. Also, many employers are committed to training and improving the skills of their employees – and this might be worth taking into account if you have a choice of more than one job. We can help you decide what sort of training is best for you, and tell you about help with course fees, transport costs or the cost of looking after your children while you’re training.
The sort of training you can doThere is training to suit almost every need. For example, you might need to improve basic skills of reading, writing, maths or English language. You might want to update your existing skills. Or a vocational qualification like an NVQ (or SNVQ in Scotland) might be a good option.
Looking at your options
You can find out more about training opportunities at Jobs and Skills - a different way to search, for jobs, training and careers. learndirect also provides details of around 1 million courses, including information on funding and planning a career – visit www.learndirect.co.uk or call 0800 100 900.
You could also call your local Jobcentre Plus office or Jobcentre to book a meeting with a personal adviser, who can suggest options depending on your circumstances. We are in contact with local colleges and training schemes, so an adviser can tell you what is available and help you apply.
Contact Jobcentre Plus
Contacting learning and training providers
Your local council will offer a range of part-time courses and evening classes for adults. These are often available free to people claiming benefits like Jobseeker’s Allowance and Income Support . You can find the contact details for your local council in the phone book the Directgov A-Z list of councils.
If you want to contact local colleges direct, you could look for details in your local phone book or use one of the following services.
When you get in touch with a college you’re interested in, ask to see a prospectus (a catalogue of the courses that are on offer).
Learn new skills
learndirect offers high-quality learning at a time and place that suits you. You can choose what and when to learn, and you can work at your own pace. There are more than 1,500 learndirect centres across England and Wales to help you get started.
Find out more information at www.learndirect.co.uk or call 0800 100 900 for advice on thousands of courses from
hundreds of providers nationwide. In Scotland, visit www.learndirect.co.uk or call 0808 100 9000.
Getting help to pay for trainingThis website gives information on the financial help you can get with course fees, travel fares or any other costs you may have to pay. Joining a training programme will probably affect the benefits you get. However, you might find it gives you the right to other financial help. If you have already joined New Deal and you start an approved training course or programme, you may qualify for a training premium payment – money that is paid on top of your benefit.
Go to Help with Training
If you’re worried that you may be financially worse off if you do a training course, contact your local Jobcentre Plus office or Jobcentre.
Contact Jobcentre Plus
Career development loans
If you find a training course you want to do but are not sure how to pay for it, a career development loan could be an option.
- In England: you can find out more on www.lifelonglearning.co.uk or by calling the Career Development Loan Helpline on 0800 585 505.
- In Scotland: visit www.scotland.gov.uk/Home or call 0808 100 1090 for information on Individual Learning Accounts. ILA Scotland is a scheme that helps to pay for a wide range of learning programmes with various learning providers.
- In Wales: Individual Learning Accounts are also available in Wales. For more, visit www.ilawales.com or call learndirect on 0800 100 900.
What if I am on benefits?Depending on your circumstances and the kind of training you want to do, training might affect the benefits you get. However, you might find that training gives you the right to other financial help. The best thing to do is to contact your local Jobcentre Plus office, Jobcentre or social security office, where you can get advice on how to make sure you’re not worse off financially.
Contact Jobcentre Plus
What to do nextYou should read the other sections in this leaflet to make sure you’ve had a look at all the help that’s on offer if you’re looking for work or training, or if you can’t work.
Jobcentre Plus
For more details about how we can help, visit our website or contact your local Jobcentre Plus office, Jobcentre or social security office.
Contact Jobcentre Plus
More about learning and training
You can contact local colleges direct to find out what courses and training they offer. The following sites and phone numbers can help you find local learning and training providers.
If you’re under 18
In England, phone Connexions on 0808 001 3219 or visit www.connexions.gov.uk. In Scotland and Wales, contact Careers Scotland or Careers Wales (see above).
For more contact details or other numbers, see the ‘Useful contacts’ section.
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