Training
Skills bootcamps in Somerset and Dorset
Skills Bootcamps offer free, high quality, digital and technical training to self-employed, employed and unemployed adults who are 19+.
The Digital and Technical Skills Bootcamps are flexible courses, up to 16 weeks; giving people the opportunity to build up specific-sector skills with a guaranteed interview with a local employer. Find out more today >
Sector-based Work Academy Programmes
Sector-based work academy programmes (SWAPs) are an opportunity for local people who are unemployed to learn new skills in a different area of work where there are jobs, such as care, construction, digital and warehousing.
A sector-based work academy programme can last up to six weeks and has three main components:
- Pre-employment training matched to the employer’s business needs
- Work experience placement to learn new skills on the job and gain valuable qualifications for the future
- At the end of the programme, you will receive either a job interview with an employer or help with the application process.
If you are aged 19 and over and are in receipt of unemployment benefit you are eligible to join a programme and you won’t lose your benefit during the placement. If you would like to learn new skills by joining a sector-based work academy programme, talk to your local Jobcentre for more information.
Click here to learn more about the Somerset NHS Foundation Trust SWAPs Programme
Dorset and Somerset Training Provider Network
Supporting young people and adults with information on the career progression opportunities available.
Open Learn
Free access to higher education from The Open University, hosting around 35,000 pages of high quality resources, including over 1,000 courses.
Reed
Features a wide range of free courses, including classroom based courses, online courses and distance Learning courses. Eligibility for each course may vary, so it's important to contact the course provider for full terms and conditions.
The Skills Toolkit
Makes it easy for you to boost your skills. You can choose from a selection of high quality courses put together in collaboration with experts.
Access to Computers and Loanable iPads
If you don't have access to a computer at home, all Somerset libraries provide
free public access computers. You can also borrow an iPad for up to 6 weeks
free of charge – visit the Somerset Libraries page for details.
Business Leaders
For more information and resources to help you upskill your workforce, visit the Business Support page