Funding guide
Government Grants for Trade Retraining: What's Available
In England, eligible adults aged 19+ earning below £26,800 can get selected Level 2 construction and Level 3 courses funded. Skills Bootcamps offer free training to eligible learners; apprenticeships pay a wage. Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland run separate schemes. The table shows who each route is for and what it pays.
Official scheme rules checked . How we review.
Who gets what
Primary scheme rules checked 7 October 2026. Course, residency and provider requirements apply. Apprenticeship pay rates are for 2026/27.
- Scheme
- Free Courses for Jobs (England)
- Who gets it
- Eligible adults 19+ below £26,800 gross earnings, including people with no earnings; residency and local rules apply
- What you get
- Full fees for selected Level 3 and Level 2 construction, engineering and manufacturing courses
- Scheme
- Skills Bootcamp (England)
- Who gets it
- Eligible adults 19+; course entry rules apply
- What you get
- Free to eligible individual learners; up to 16 weeks. Job interview or employer/self-employment support according to route
- Scheme
- Apprenticeship (UK)
- Who gets it
- Age 16+ or the relevant nation’s school-leaving age; real employed role
- What you get
- Training plus a wage. 2026/27 minimum: £8/hour under 19 or in year 1; after year 1, age 19–20 £10.85, age 21+ £12.71
- Scheme
- Advanced Learner Loan (England)
- Who gets it
- Eligible 19+ learners and approved courses/providers; residency rules apply
- What you get
- Course-fee loan, not a grant. Current Plan 5 repayments: 9% above £25,000; interest applies
- Scheme
- SWAP (England and Scotland)
- Who gets it
- Jobseekers 18+ receiving unemployment benefits; arranged with Jobcentre Plus
- What you get
- Up to 6 weeks: training, placement and interview or recruitment support. Benefits continue; travel/childcare covered
- Scheme
- Personal Learning Account (Wales)
- Who gets it
- Eligible 19+ employed/self-employed adults or carers, basic salary up to £35,796; exceptions for approved green/digital courses
- What you get
- Fully funded part-time course in approved priority sectors
- Scheme
- ReAct+ (Wales)
- Who gets it
- Eligible residents 20+ facing redundancy or within 6 months after redundancy, and other qualifying routes
- What you get
- Up to £1,500 training; up to £2,100 caring costs and £200 additional costs
- Scheme
- Assured Skills Academy (Northern Ireland)
- Who gets it
- Age 18+, right to work/train, and academy-specific requirements; an open academy is needed
- What you get
- Up to £185 weekly allowance, travel reimbursement and interview after successful completion
| Scheme | Who gets it | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Free Courses for Jobs (England) | Eligible adults 19+ below £26,800 gross earnings, including people with no earnings; residency and local rules apply | Full fees for selected Level 3 and Level 2 construction, engineering and manufacturing courses |
| Skills Bootcamp (England) | Eligible adults 19+; course entry rules apply | Free to eligible individual learners; up to 16 weeks. Job interview or employer/self-employment support according to route |
| Apprenticeship (UK) | Age 16+ or the relevant nation’s school-leaving age; real employed role | Training plus a wage. 2026/27 minimum: £8/hour under 19 or in year 1; after year 1, age 19–20 £10.85, age 21+ £12.71 |
| Advanced Learner Loan (England) | Eligible 19+ learners and approved courses/providers; residency rules apply | Course-fee loan, not a grant. Current Plan 5 repayments: 9% above £25,000; interest applies |
| SWAP (England and Scotland) | Jobseekers 18+ receiving unemployment benefits; arranged with Jobcentre Plus | Up to 6 weeks: training, placement and interview or recruitment support. Benefits continue; travel/childcare covered |
| Personal Learning Account (Wales) | Eligible 19+ employed/self-employed adults or carers, basic salary up to £35,796; exceptions for approved green/digital courses | Fully funded part-time course in approved priority sectors |
| ReAct+ (Wales) | Eligible residents 20+ facing redundancy or within 6 months after redundancy, and other qualifying routes | Up to £1,500 training; up to £2,100 caring costs and £200 additional costs |
| Assured Skills Academy (Northern Ireland) | Age 18+, right to work/train, and academy-specific requirements; an open academy is needed | Up to £185 weekly allowance, travel reimbursement and interview after successful completion |
Which one fits you
Out of work: ask your work coach about a SWAP in England or Scotland. In England, also ask a college about a funded course.
Working in England: compare Free Courses for Jobs if your gross earnings are below £26,800, or a Skills Bootcamp. Ask about a free place before considering a learner loan.
Want to earn while training: search paid apprenticeships.
Working in Wales: a Personal Learning Account may fit. Facing redundancy in Wales: speak to Working Wales about ReAct+.
In Northern Ireland: look for employer-linked Assured Skills academies. No academy was listed as open on 7 October 2026. Check current opportunities.
For local starting points, use our funding finder.
Working in England: compare Free Courses for Jobs if your gross earnings are below £26,800, or a Skills Bootcamp. Ask about a free place before considering a learner loan.
Want to earn while training: search paid apprenticeships.
Working in Wales: a Personal Learning Account may fit. Facing redundancy in Wales: speak to Working Wales about ReAct+.
In Northern Ireland: look for employer-linked Assured Skills academies. No academy was listed as open on 7 October 2026. Check current opportunities.
For local starting points, use our funding finder.
Next: the application
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England: free courses, Skills Bootcamps and learner loans
Free Courses for Jobs: the 2026/27 Adult Skills Fund rules use a £26,800 gross-earnings threshold for eligible learners aged 19+. The offer covers approved qualifications, including selected Level 2 construction courses and Level 3 courses. Devolved areas can set their own rules. Current rules and course search.
Skills Bootcamps: eligible adults 19+ can train free for up to 16 weeks. The outcome depends on the route: a job interview, new responsibilities with an employer, or support for self-employment. Not every bootcamp awards a qualification: choose one that names the qualification you need and that relevant job adverts ask for. Find a bootcamp.
Advanced Learner Loan: eligible 19+ learners can borrow for approved Level 3 to 6 courses in England. There is no income test or credit check. For Level 4 to 6 courses starting from 1 January 2027, use Lifelong Learning Entitlement student finance instead.
New Advanced Learner Loan borrowers are normally on Plan 5: 9% of income above £25,000, with interest from the first payment. The normal write-off point is 40 years after the April you first became due to repay.
A loan pays course fees, not your living costs. Ask about a funded place first. Loan eligibility and repayment rules.
On benefits: agree training with your work coach before starting. Many Universal Credit claimants can undertake full-time training for up to 16 weeks while claiming, but their individual claimant commitments still matter. A SWAP combines training, placement and an interview or recruitment support over up to 6 weeks.
Skills Bootcamps: eligible adults 19+ can train free for up to 16 weeks. The outcome depends on the route: a job interview, new responsibilities with an employer, or support for self-employment. Not every bootcamp awards a qualification: choose one that names the qualification you need and that relevant job adverts ask for. Find a bootcamp.
Advanced Learner Loan: eligible 19+ learners can borrow for approved Level 3 to 6 courses in England. There is no income test or credit check. For Level 4 to 6 courses starting from 1 January 2027, use Lifelong Learning Entitlement student finance instead.
New Advanced Learner Loan borrowers are normally on Plan 5: 9% of income above £25,000, with interest from the first payment. The normal write-off point is 40 years after the April you first became due to repay.
A loan pays course fees, not your living costs. Ask about a funded place first. Loan eligibility and repayment rules.
On benefits: agree training with your work coach before starting. Many Universal Credit claimants can undertake full-time training for up to 16 weeks while claiming, but their individual claimant commitments still matter. A SWAP combines training, placement and an interview or recruitment support over up to 6 weeks.
Wales: Personal Learning Accounts and ReAct+
A Personal Learning Account funds approved part-time courses for eligible residents aged 19+, in employment, self-employment or caring roles. The basic salary limit is £35,796; approved green and digital courses have no earnings cap. Other study and funding exclusions apply. Ask Careers Wales or a participating college.
ReAct+ can fund training and related costs for eligible Welsh residents aged 20+ under redundancy notice or recently made redundant. The main time window is six months; other qualifying routes and work-history conditions apply. A Working Wales adviser checks eligibility and submits the application after the plan is approved. See ReAct+ support.
ReAct+ can fund training and related costs for eligible Welsh residents aged 20+ under redundancy notice or recently made redundant. The main time window is six months; other qualifying routes and work-history conditions apply. A Working Wales adviser checks eligibility and submits the application after the plan is approved. See ReAct+ support.
Northern Ireland: academies and apprenticeships
Assured Skills academies train people for identified employer vacancies. Successful completion brings a job interview.
The programme offers up to £185 a week, travel reimbursement and possible childcare help. You must be 18+ with the right to work and train; each academy can set extra requirements. Current academy list and updates.
ApprenticeshipsNI combines employment and training from age 16. Search for a real job with an employer before treating a course place as an apprenticeship.
The programme offers up to £185 a week, travel reimbursement and possible childcare help. You must be 18+ with the right to work and train; each academy can set extra requirements. Current academy list and updates.
ApprenticeshipsNI combines employment and training from age 16. Search for a real job with an employer before treating a course place as an apprenticeship.
Scotland: apprenticeships, SWAP and redundancy support
A Modern Apprenticeship is paid employment with training from the relevant school-leaving age. The UK minimum-wage rules apply according to age and apprenticeship year.
SWAP also operates in Scotland through Jobcentre Plus. Eligible participants remain on benefits during the programme, with travel and childcare costs paid. The employer provides an interview or help through its recruitment process.
If redundancy is the issue, PACE offers free support with your next steps.
SWAP also operates in Scotland through Jobcentre Plus. Eligible participants remain on benefits during the programme, with travel and childcare costs paid. The employer provides an interview or help through its recruitment process.
If redundancy is the issue, PACE offers free support with your next steps.
Help with travel, childcare and kit
An Advanced Learner Loan bursary can help eligible borrowers with travel, childcare, materials and equipment. Apply through the college.
SWAP covers travel and childcare for benefit claimants on the scheme. ReAct+ can provide up to £2,100 for caring costs and £200 for additional training costs, including travel and accommodation. Assured Skills reimburses weekly travel and can contribute to childcare. These supports have their own eligibility checks.
SWAP covers travel and childcare for benefit claimants on the scheme. ReAct+ can provide up to £2,100 for caring costs and £200 for additional training costs, including travel and accommodation. Assured Skills reimburses weekly travel and can contribute to childcare. These supports have their own eligibility checks.
Already in the trade and struggling?
The Lighthouse Construction Industry Charity offers support to construction workers and their families, including help with financial wellbeing. Turn2us has a grants search to identify charitable support you may qualify for. These are separate from government course funding.
How to apply, step by step
1. Choose the trade and course. Start with the qualification relevant local employers ask for.
2. Use the service for your nation. England: NCS course search; Wales: Careers Wales; Scotland: My World of Work; Northern Ireland: nidirect.
3. Ask the college about a funded place. Give your age, residency, earnings and previous qualifications. Get its eligibility decision before committing to fees.
4. If claiming benefits, involve your work coach. Agree the course and any SWAP support first.
5. If you need a loan, get the funding-information letter. The provider’s Learning and Funding Information Letter is needed for the Student Finance England application. Ask about a funded place first.
6. Prepare your CV for the next opportunity. Show your existing skills honestly and add the training you have started.
2. Use the service for your nation. England: NCS course search; Wales: Careers Wales; Scotland: My World of Work; Northern Ireland: nidirect.
3. Ask the college about a funded place. Give your age, residency, earnings and previous qualifications. Get its eligibility decision before committing to fees.
4. If claiming benefits, involve your work coach. Agree the course and any SWAP support first.
5. If you need a loan, get the funding-information letter. The provider’s Learning and Funding Information Letter is needed for the Student Finance England application. Ask about a funded place first.
6. Prepare your CV for the next opportunity. Show your existing skills honestly and add the training you have started.
Sources and method
Scheme amounts and eligibility were checked against the following primary services on 7 October 2026. England’s earnings threshold uses the current 2026/27 funding rules, not the older public summary.
Adult Skills Fund 2026/27
Free Courses for Jobs
Skills Bootcamps
Bootcamp funding rules
Minimum wage rates
Advanced Learner Loan eligibility
Loan repayments
Loan bursary
SWAP
Personal Learning Accounts
ReAct+
Assured Skills
ApprenticeshipsNI
Modern Apprenticeships
PACE redundancy support
CITB apprenticeship grants
Lighthouse support
Turn2us
AI-assisted source review by UK Trade Jobs. No application, entitlement decision or financial transaction has been made.
Adult Skills Fund 2026/27
Free Courses for Jobs
Skills Bootcamps
Bootcamp funding rules
Minimum wage rates
Advanced Learner Loan eligibility
Loan repayments
Loan bursary
SWAP
Personal Learning Accounts
ReAct+
Assured Skills
ApprenticeshipsNI
Modern Apprenticeships
PACE redundancy support
CITB apprenticeship grants
Lighthouse support
Turn2us
AI-assisted source review by UK Trade Jobs. No application, entitlement decision or financial transaction has been made.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a trade course fully funded?▼
Yes, if you meet the scheme’s conditions. England’s Free Courses for Jobs funds selected courses for eligible adults 19+ below the current £26,800 gross-earnings threshold, including people with no earnings. Residency and local rules apply. Eligible Skills Bootcamp learners also train free; apprenticeships combine a wage with training.
Is an Advanced Learner Loan a grant?▼
No. New borrowers normally use Plan 5: repay 9% of income above £25,000, with interest from the first payment. The normal write-off is 40 years after the April you first became due to repay. Ask about a funded course place before borrowing.
Does a Skills Bootcamp guarantee a job?▼
No. Jobseeker routes include an interview opportunity. Other routes support progression with an existing employer or self-employment. Ask the provider which outcome applies to the course and route you are joining.
What funding is available outside England?▼
Wales has Personal Learning Accounts and ReAct+ for eligible learners. Northern Ireland offers employer-linked Assured Skills academies when open, and ApprenticeshipsNI. Scotland has Modern Apprenticeships, SWAP and PACE redundancy support.
Can I keep Universal Credit while I retrain?▼
Some claimants can train full time for up to 16 weeks while claiming. Agree the course and your claimant commitments with your work coach before starting. SWAP participants remain on benefits during their placement.
Does an employer get funding to train me?▼
Eligible CITB-registered construction employers can receive £2,500 a year in attendance grant and £3,500 on achievement for qualifying approved apprenticeships lasting at least 12 months. The grant goes to the employer, not the apprentice, and scheme conditions apply.
Are there hardship grants for tradespeople?▼
Charitable support may be available. Lighthouse supports construction workers and families, and Turn2us provides a grants search. Awards depend on the charity and your circumstances; they are separate from government course funding.
More career change guides to compare
Your next step
Find funded courses in England. For Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland, use the national services linked above.
Search free courses near you