Skills for Life Blog: Free Courses and Skills Workshops for Adults

The Department for Education’s (DfE) Skills for Life campaign is all about encouraging continued development with free courses and skills workshops. The campaign encompasses businesses, young people, and adults to embrace further learning, and this applies to anyone living in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. 

For adults, the campaign is designed to help learners develop a number of both educational and specialist skills. Whether you’re looking to make a career change or just want to brush up on your maths, there are thousands of free courses available. There are also Skills Bootcamps and training available, with some even offering qualifications upon completion.

No matter which stage of your adult life you’re in, embracing Skills for Life can help you secure a promotion, a new job or just instil you with a newfound confidence.

What free courses and skills workshops are available to you?

 

Free Courses

There are a number of free courses available to help you with your current or future career with Skills for Life. Spanning accounting, construction, agriculture and more, there are a wide range of courses on offer. The length of time these courses take and the ways in which they are delivered will vary from course to course.

Within Cornwall, the Isles of Scilly and Plymouth, there are several training and skills providers. Each will be hosting courses for adults to further their learning.

Free courses are available to adults aged 19 and over who are either:

• Unemployed
• Earning below the National Living Wage annually (currently £20,319)
• Do not already have a Level 3 Qualification

Additionally, you may also be able to get support for expenses such as childcare, travel and more.

You can find out more about free courses and eligibility via the Cornwall Opportunities portal. Similarly, you can reach out to a course’s provider for further information.

 

Maths, English, and Digital Courses

Often, in a modern working environment, you will be required to have basic Maths, English and Digital skills. This is also a big part of what the Skills for Life initiative is about. You can attend courses at Level 2 and below to attain a GCSE level qualification for free if you have not yet gained a Grade 4/C or above. Educational providers across the UK, as well as locally, deliver a range of free courses to help adults achieve this qualification.

The Multiply Programme is part of this initiative and is designed with a particular focus on adult maths skills. Across Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, there are a range of courses, drop-in sessions, and initiatives for adults. This programme is also free and aims to help with increased confidence and proficiency with numbers. Whether it’s for your career prospects, on-the-job or your personal life, find out how you can get started.

 

Skills Bootcamps

As well as initiating the Skills for Life campaign, the Government has part-funded Train4Tomorrow’s Skills Bootcamps. They aim to help adults upskill in their employment, change careers, or just unlock their full potential.

These free bootcamps are designed to help you pick up skills proficiently in a short space of time. Local employers and regional areas will all have current skills gaps which need addressing. These courses aim to upskill adults to fill in those gaps.

You can learn practical, industry-relevant skills alongside the knowledge and expertise to grow your prospects. Skills Bootcamps are available in:

• Construction
• Digital
• Green
• Health
• Hospitality
• Professional Services
• Early Years and Childcare

These short-term courses can run for up to a maximum of 16 weeks and are open to adults from the age of 19. It doesn’t matter if you are currently employed, unemployed or self-employed, anybody can participate.

Skills Bootcamps are a great way to boost your confidence and give you the flexibility to adapt and overcome various challenges. Plus, if you wish to pursue an apprenticeship or further learning, Skills Bootcamps provide the perfect stepping stone.

Visit the Cornwall Opportunities Skills Bootcamps page to find out more.

 

Accessing Adult Learning

Cornwall Opportunities and Cornwall Council’s Adult Education Service are working together to give the region’s adults access to qualifications and training opportunities. It will also allow people to find the information and guidance they need quickly and easily. Embracing Skills for Life can allow the people of Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly to address skills gaps and feel confident in their abilities and fulfilled in their careers.

Our portal brings together both powerful search tools and expert guidance to empower adults with the information and support they need to get started.

If you need to get in touch with us, please send us an email at: [email protected]

 

Looking for further support?

Cornwall & Isles of Scilly People Hub can help with advice and information on training and funding for courses.

The National Careers Service offers expert advice and support to find the right course for you.