Whether you are looking for a better job or wanting to advance in your current profession, a Skills Bootcamp can be a great way to boost your prospects.
Skills Bootcamps are free and designed in partnership with local employers to help fill job vacancies in your area. These flexible courses last up to 16 weeks and allow you to gain the in-demand skills employers are looking for and the offer of a job interview on completion.
Here's what you need to know.
What Skills Bootcamps are on offer?
There are a range of courses available in digital and green industries, as well as technical sectors such as construction or engineering. You can learn data or software skills, how to retrofit buildings or machinery, or how to repair electric vehicle - and much more - and thousands have trained to be HGV drivers in less than a year.
Once you have completed the fully funded course, you can use your new skills to get a new job or progress into a higher-skilled role in your existing place of work.
Skills Bootcamps have already helped thousands of people to get the skills they need to start a new career or boost their earning potential for free. The latest stats show that we have exceeded our target of 16,000 starts in 21/22 and confirm that these courses remain a popular training pathway for adults.
How can a Skills Bootcamp help me get a job?
If you are looking to change career, Skills Bootcamps provide the essential skills needed to enter a new industry. With a range of courses available, a Skills Bootcamp can boost your employability.
The skills you learn will put you in a good position to get a better job with more stability and a higher salary. You do not need to have previous experience as the Skills Bootcamp will help you gain the key skills needed.
You will also be offered a job interview with an employer at the end of the course, helping provide a direct path to a job on completion.
What if I already have a job?
A Skills Bootcamp can boost your understanding of your current industry. They are designed to help develop skills to advance into a new team or role and potentially better pay. By signing up to a Skills Bootcamp, you are showing your employer that you are enthusiastic about progression in the role.
It's worth asking your employer about participating in a Skills Bootcamp. They can help you decide if it's something that could benefit you in your work and, if it is feasible, to study alongside your job.
Your employer will need to contribute a small proportion of the cost, but the Skills Bootcamp will still be free for you.
Can anyone join a Skills Bootcamp?
Skills Bootcamps are available in regions across England to adults aged 19 and over. For most Skills Bootcamps, no previous knowledge in the subject is needed, just the willingness to learn new skills.
James Orton is the Chief Product and Technology Officer at Wise, a business which provides software and solutions to support over 250 UK logistics firms in engaging their self-employed workforce. He explains why Wise explored the training opportunities available via Skills Bootcamps:
Hiring a diverse range of candidates through this Skills Bootcamp has been an integral part of how our business has grown. Whether it's been software developers, project managers or designers, all our Skills Bootcamp graduates have arrived with enthusiasm and crucially, a real hunger to carry on improving their skills within their role.
The ethos at Wise is that you should never stop learning and that goes for every role within the company, whether you are the CEO, a senior developer or a junior marketeer, there is always something you can learn.
How do I sign up?
If you want to find out if a Skills Bootcamp could fast-track you to a better job, visit https://skillsforlife.campaign.gov.uk/courses/skills-bootcamps/.
Or if you would like help choosing a course or advice on your job options, get in touch via webchat at nationalcareers.service.gov.uk/contact-us or by phone on 0800 100 900.