Trade Retraining Grants & Funding in Liverpool
Liverpool City Region Combined Authority (LCRCA) controls its own Adult Education Budget, with a strong focus on construction skills to support the region's regeneration. Here's how to access funded trade training across Merseyside.
Devolved Budget
LCRCA Adult Education
Managed locally for LCR residents
Free + Interview
Skills Bootcamps
Construction & green skills available
7+ Colleges
LCR Training Providers
Across all 6 LCR boroughs
Liverpool City Region Adult Education Budget
The Liverpool City Region Combined Authority (LCRCA) has managed the area's Adult Education Budget since 2019, allowing the region to direct training funds where they're needed most. With the massive Bramley-Moore Dock development (Everton's new stadium), Liverpool Waters regeneration project, and thousands of new homes in the pipeline, construction skills are a top priority.
The city region needs an estimated 8,000 additional construction workers over the next five years. LCRCA is actively investing AEB funds into trade training to ensure local residents benefit from this work rather than contractors bringing labour from outside the region.
More info: LCRCA Careers & Skills
Who Gets Free Training?
- Aged 19+ without a Level 3 — free first full Level 3 qualification
- Aged 19+ without a Level 2 — free first full Level 2
- On Universal Credit, JSA, or ESA — free training at any level
- English and Maths — free for all adults up to Level 2
- Care leavers and ex-offenders — LCRCA provides additional funding support for these groups
Liverpool & Merseyside Colleges for Trade Training
Hugh Baird College
Based in Bootle with a dedicated Construction and Engineering Centre. Hugh Baird is one of the strongest construction training providers on Merseyside. Courses include Plumbing, Electrical Installation, Bricklaying, Carpentry and Joinery, and Painting and Decorating from Level 1 through Level 3. They run a large apprenticeship programme with employers across Liverpool and Sefton.
The City of Liverpool College
The main FE college for Liverpool city centre, with campuses including the Arts Centre and Duke Street. Offers construction courses in Electrical Installation, Plumbing, Carpentry, and Multi-skills. Strong industry links with Liverpool's commercial construction sector and close partnerships with major city centre developers.
Wirral Metropolitan College
Serves the Wirral Peninsula and surrounding area. Construction courses at the Twelve Quays campus include Plumbing, Electrical, Bricklaying, and Carpentry. AEB-funded places available for eligible Liverpool City Region residents. Good transport links via the Mersey tunnel.
St Helens College
Covers St Helens, Knowsley, and parts of Warrington. Dedicated construction workshops with courses in Plumbing, Electrical Installation, Bricklaying, and Carpentry. Adult learner-friendly with evening and flexible options. Part of the St Helens regeneration zone with strong links to local employers.
Knowsley Community College
Serves Knowsley and east Liverpool. Smaller but well-regarded for construction training, particularly Carpentry, Bricklaying, and Multi-trade courses. Focused on getting local residents into employment on nearby development sites.
Liverpool City Region-Specific Programmes
LCR Be More
The LCRCA's careers and skills portal. Be More connects residents with funded training opportunities, Skills Bootcamps, and apprenticeships. The construction section is particularly strong, listing live opportunities across all six boroughs. It also provides a free careers advice service for adults considering a career change.
Households into Work
A LCRCA programme that supports entire households where nobody is in work. Includes access to funded trade training, work placements, and ongoing support. Particularly effective for people with complex barriers to employment who want to retrain in a practical skill.
Construction Industry Training Hub
LCRCA works with major developers on the Liverpool Waters and Bramley-Moore Dock projects to operate construction training hubs. These provide fast-track entry-level training with a direct pipeline to employment on live construction sites across the city region.
Skills Bootcamps in Liverpool City Region
Liverpool City Region has a strong allocation of Skills Bootcamps. Construction-specific bootcamps include retrofit, sustainable construction, and electrical skills. Free for LCR residents, typically 12–16 weeks, with a guaranteed job interview on completion.
Search: GOV.UK — Find a Skills Bootcamp
How to Apply — Step by Step
- 1. Check eligibility: Do you already hold a Level 2 or Level 3? Are you on benefits? This determines whether training is free, co-funded, or loan-funded.
- 2. Pick your trade: See our career guides for salary, demand, and training details.
- 3. Contact a college: Hugh Baird and the City of Liverpool College are the strongest for construction. Call admissions and ask about AEB-funded construction courses.
- 4. Enrol: Bring ID, proof of address (must be in the Liverpool City Region), and qualification evidence. The college handles the AEB claim.
- 5. Check bootcamps: Before committing to a longer course, check if a free Skills Bootcamp in your chosen trade is available through Be More.
Explore More Funding Options
See the full England overview or check funding in other cities.