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Why are skills so valuable?

Having the right skills is more important than ever before: in less than ten years there will be very few jobs that require no skills at all.

As well as boosting your career prospects, new skills could be the first step towards that qualification you've always wanted to get.

Skills are also useful in all sorts of situations in life, and can boost your confidence.

Get free, impartial advice

If you're not sure where to begin, there’s lots of free, impartial advice from services like the National Careers Service.

A National Careers Service adviser will be able to tell you about your options, and about any money you could get to help pay for your learning.

You can meet a trained adviser face to face or talk over the phone.

• Find careers, learning and skills advice

• National Careers Service Opens new window

Boost your basic skills

If you want to improve your reading, writing or maths, there's plenty of help available.

There are also lots of ways to improve your computer skills - whether you are a complete beginner, or want to build on what you know already.

• Improving your reading, writing and number skills

• Improving your computer and IT skills

Learn in a way that suits you

If you decide to improve your skills by doing a course, there are almost a million to choose from in the UK. So, you’re bound to find one that interests you and fits around your home and work commitments.

You can choose where and when you learn – you don’t have to sit in a classroom. For example, you may be able to get training at work. You can learn full or part-time, for a few hours or for several years: whatever suits you best.

• Find an adult learning course

• Getting training at work

Get financial help to improve your skills

If you decide that you want to improve your skills but are concerned about how much it will cost, check out what financial help is available. Exactly what help you can get will depend on your personal circumstances.

You could get financial help through a number of different programmes - like the Adult Learning Grant or Professional and Career Development Loans. You may also get help with childcare costs.

• Help with learning costs: an introduction

Thinking about higher education?

Getting a higher education qualification can open up new career options, as well letting you experience new things and meet new people.

And it doesn't have to be about getting a degree. There are lots of different courses, like Higher National Certificates (HNCs) and Higher National Diplomas (HNDs) - or Foundation Degrees that mix study with workplace learning. You can learn at university or at your local college, studying full or part-time.

There’s a range of grants, loans and bursaries to help you meet the costs. If you get help through a grant or bursary, you don't have to pay it back.

• What can higher education do for you?

• Higher education qualifications

• Student finance

Useful contacts

• Adult learning contacts