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Getting on at work

Whatever stage you’re at in life, learning new skills could improve your career prospects.

Research predicts that in the future there will be fewer jobs for people lacking skills - meaning that skills are likely to become more and more important as time goes on.

Free help and advice is available whether you’re currently working or not. There are different schemes to suit the needs of different people.

Advice on improving your work skills

Get free careers advice over the phone or by email

Whether you’re looking for a new job, a promotion or a complete career change, you can get free advice from the Careers Advice Service.

• call the Careers Advice Service on 0800 100 900

Calls are free, and lines are open from 8.00 am to 10.00 pm, seven days a week.

You can also ask for an adviser to call back at a time that suits you, or send a question by email.

• Book a free call back from a learning adviser
• Email a learning adviser

Get free advice in person: nextstep

You may also be able to get advice in person from your local nextstep service.

• More on finding personal learning and careers advice

Improving your work skills: getting started

There are plenty of options if you want to improve your work skills.

If you’re looking for a job, there are several schemes to help you. Most give you the opportunity to learn while you’re doing so. See the section below on ‘Schemes to help you find work’ for more details.

If you are working, you may be able to get training through your employer. See the section below on ‘Help if you’re already in work’ for details.

Search for training online

Of course, there’s nothing to stop you arranging training for yourself. You can search for training opportunities near you on Directgov.

• Search for training online Opens new window

See the 'What to learn, where to learn' and 'Your skills, your future’ sections for tips on choosing a course and finding the right place to learn, information on qualifications and advice if you’re returning to learning after a break.

You may be able to get financial help while doing a course: see 'Help with learning costs: an introduction' for details.

• What to learn, where to learn
• Your skills, your future
• Help with learning costs: an introduction

Improving your English, maths and IT

For many people, brushing up on basic skills is the first and most important step in opening up new career options.

• Improving your English, maths and IT

Schemes to help you find work

If you don’t have a job, there are several national schemes to help you find work or get work experience.

New Deal and other programmes

New Deal helps people get into work. An adviser will ask about your experiences, interests and goals and help you prepare a plan.

Participating may mean that you get an allowance on top of your benefits. You could get your course fees paid, and you may qualify for help with the cost of books, travel, equipment or childcare.

Other schemes to help you find work include:

• New Deal and other programmes (employment section)

Apprenticeships

An Apprenticeship lets you learn on the job, gaining a qualification while you’re earning. Apprenticeships are available in many different areas, from business administration to engineering, beauty therapy or health and social care.

• Apprenticeships

If you have a disability

If you have a disability, there are additional schemes to help you find work.

• Work schemes and programmes (disabled people section)

Getting training if you're already in work

If you’re looking to gain new skills relevant to the world of work - and you’ve already got a job - talking to your employer is often a good first step.

Find out more about some of the training opportunities that may be available through your employer in ‘Getting training at work’.

• Getting training at work