Training at Work
Learning at work is a great way to fit learning into your life, and could help improve your career prospects. Your employer may already provide learning opportunities - if not, see if they would consider getting involved in an employee training scheme.
Developing new skills at work
If you're looking to gain new skills relevant to your job, your employer is a good first point of call.You may be able to get free basic skills training, additional skills to improve your performance at work, or even a qualification that could help open up doors to higher education. Some employers run 'mentoring' schemes to help you get on at work.
Find out from a senior member of staff or union learning rep whether your employer runs any training schemes. If they don't, ask if they would consider setting one up.
Train to Gain
This service is aimed at helping adults and young people in England to get the best possible training in the workplace. It offers businesses:
- free and impartial advice on their training needs
- help in finding the right training - at a time and place which suits them and their employees
- in some cases, help sourcing funding
- help reviewing progress in developing the skills of their workforce
For more information visit the Train to Gain website.
Learning through Work Scheme
Learning Through Work lets you study a university-level course without taking time off work. You can work towards an undergraduate or postgraduate qualification, or just do one or two modules of a course - depending on what suits you.The scheme is run by learndirect and a number of partner universities and colleges. If you take part, your tutor will work with you to make sure what you learn is relevant to your job.
You'll plan what areas to cover together, and where possible you'll get credit for projects you work on as part of your job. You may also be able to get credit for work you've already done.
It may be worth talking to your employer to see if they can support you while you're on the scheme - financially or otherwise. And if they want to get more involved, employers can use the scheme to set up a programme that meets their specific needs.
Find out more about the learndirect learning through work scheme.
Apprenticeships
An Apprenticeship gives you the chance to work towards a qualification while you're earning. Many employers choose to provide training through an Apprenticeship programme - they are designed by businesses within a particular sector, with that sector?s training needs in mind.
Find out more about Apprenticeships.
If you can't get training through your employer, there's nothing to stop you arranging it yourself. See 'Learning for work' for some ideas on how to fit learning into your working life, and details of where to get free advice.
