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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 and skills advice through the National Careers and skills service. You can get advice online, over the phone or face-to-face.

• National Careers Service: 0800 100 900

• More on finding careers, learning and skills advice

• National Careers Service - skills and careers advice Opens new window

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. 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. You can also find 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

Higher education and your career

If you want to develop your skills for work further, a higher education qualification could be the answer. There’s a huge range of courses to choose from, including vocational courses aimed at people who want to get on in a particular line of work.

• Higher education and your career

Improving your English, maths and IT

For many people, brushing up on essential 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 Jobcentre Plus 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:

• Jobcentre Plus programmes and services (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

Staying safe during a work placement

If you're doing a work placement, your supervisor should be able to provide you with information about health and safety procedures and training. There are some resources available to find out about health and safety in the workplace.

• Download Be Safe guide and workbook: health and safety during work placements (PDF, 1444K)

• Resources from the Health and Safety Executive Opens new window

Useful contacts

• UK online

• Adult learning contacts

• Education and learning contacts