The short version
- Free Level 3Free Courses for Jobs, if you don't already have a full Level 3 or you earn under a threshold.
- Short and freeSkills Bootcamps: up to 16 weeks, for adults 19+.
- LoansAdvanced Learner Loans for Level 3–6 courses.
- ApprenticeshipsTraining is free to you, and you're paid.
- Outside EnglandScotland, Wales and Northern Ireland run their own schemes.
Training for a trade doesn't have to mean paying thousands upfront. Depending on your age, income and existing qualifications, a lot of it can be free. Here's what's available in England, and where to look elsewhere.
The main options in England
| Scheme | Who it's for | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Free Courses for Jobs | Adults 19+ without a full Level 3, or earning under a threshold | A free Level 3 qualification from an approved list, including construction |
| Adult Skills Fund | Adults on low incomes, unemployed, or 19–23 without a full Level 3 | Free or reduced-cost courses at local colleges |
| Skills Bootcamps | Adults 19+ | Free courses of up to 16 weeks, often with a job interview at the end |
| Advanced Learner Loan | Adults 19+ on Level 3–6 courses | A loan for course fees, repaid only once you earn over a threshold |
| Apprenticeship | Anyone 16+ with an employer | Paid job, training covered |
Learner loans are changing
Advanced Learner Loans still cover Level 3 courses. For Level 4, 5 and 6 courses starting on or after 1 January 2027, you apply through the new Lifelong Learning Entitlement instead. Source: gov.uk Advanced Learner Loan.
Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland
Each nation funds adult skills differently. Wales has Personal Learning Accounts and Scotland has Individual Training Accounts. Ask your local college or careers service what's available where you live.
Getting funded
- Ask the college or provider directly what funding you qualify for. They check eligibility for you.
- Search Skills Bootcamps through gov.uk or your local council or combined authority.
- If you're claiming benefits, ask your Jobcentre work coach about help with training costs.
- Be cautious with private packages that aren't government funded. Compare them with free college options first.
Quick answers
Can I retrain for free as an adult?
Often, yes. Free Courses for Jobs, the Adult Skills Fund and Skills Bootcamps can all cover trade training, depending on your circumstances.
What is a Skills Bootcamp?
A free course of up to 16 weeks for adults 19+, designed with employers, usually ending with a job interview.
Do I have to repay an Advanced Learner Loan?
Only once you earn over the repayment threshold, like a student loan.
Is an apprenticeship free?
Yes. Your employer and the government cover the training, and you're paid a wage.
Read next: