GovWire

If you are 19 or over and do not already have a level 3 qualification or higher, you can 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 regardless of any qualifications you already have.

In some areas there may be a slightly different low wage threshold. Check with your local training provider to find out the low wage threshold in your area.

Some of these qualifications are available to study online or part-time.

You may be able to get help to pay for childcare, travel and other costs.

The qualifications could help you:

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

Eligibility

If youre 19 to 23 years old, you could also access additional qualifications for free. If youre in this age group, contact your local college or the National Careers 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 government is supporting you to gain skills for life, whatever stage of your career.

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

For more information, you can:

• visit the National Careers Service course finder to find a suitable course near you
• view the full list of free level 3 qualifications included in the offer
• view the full list of providers offering free places for level 3 qualifications

How to apply

If youre 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.

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

3. If youre 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.

Get advice and support

The National Careers Service offers free and impartial advice to help with decisions about careers, training courses and work.

Your local authority or Jobcentre Plus may offer additional free courses.

You may also be interested in other government-funded training opportunities that can help you gain skills for life, including apprenticeships. An apprenticeship is a real job where you learn, gain experience, and get paid.

If you claim 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.

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.