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Our world is changing.  We all need more skills than ever before.  In less than ten years there will be very few jobs that will require no skills at all.

Training is the key to learning new skills and unlocking your own potential. If you take control of your future by deciding to improve your skills, your chances of getting on at work, gaining a promotion, improving your career, starting your business, or even being paid a higher salary are within your reach.

A new campaign, 'Our Future. It’s in Our Hands', calls on employers and individuals to take control of their future by investing in skills.

Getting started, finding advice

If you’re thinking about boosting your skills, there is advice available, no matter what stage of life you’re at.

Just call the freephone ‘It’s In Our Hands’ helpline on 0800 011 30 30.

Or for more ideas about improving your skills, follow the links below.

The essentials

If you’re not comfortable with your level of reading, writing or maths skills, there is plenty of help available.

You can also find help gaining computer and IT skills, whether you're a complete beginner, or want to take your existing skills one step further.

• Improving your reading, writing and number skills
• Improving your computer and IT skills

Moving on

If your basic skills are up to scratch, the world is your oyster.

There are almost a million courses throughout the country, in subjects from mountaineering survival to catering. 

With so many courses to choose from, it is important that you gain qualifications at the end of the course - they help you prove that you've gained knowledge and developed certain skills, and can help you get a better job.

• Find a course
• Guide to qualifications

Funding

If you want to learn new skills, but are worried about money, financial support could be available to help you take control of your future.   

• Adult Learning Grant (ALG): if you're over 19 and want to study or train for your first full Level 2 or 3 qualification (up to the equivalent of 5 good GCSEs or A-Levels), ALG could give you up to £30 a week
  
• Career Development Loan: if you're over 18 and set in your career, but want to go one step further, you can access loans to cover course fees and living expenses for work-related learning

• Adult Learning Grant
• Career Development Loans

Young people: your life, your options

If you're under 19, you have even more choices to explore, offering you the chance to gain skills on the job, at a college or at school. 

From vocational diplomas and GCSEs to Apprenticeships, AS levels to other courses, there have never been so many ways to learn or train.

Where to start

To speak to someone for information and advice on careers, courses and job vacancies, call Connexions Direct on 080 800 13 2 19.

Or check out our sections on making choices for Years 10 and 11, and after 16.

• Which way now? Years 10-11
• It’s your choice: options after 16

Money to learn

EMA is a weekly payment for 16- to 19-year-olds of up to £30 a week, depending on your household income. It’s paid direct to your bank account in return for dedication to learning.

Depending on your circumstances there could be other help available too.

• EMA and money to learn

'Our Future. It's in Our Hands': find out more

'Our Future. It’s in Our Hands', is a new campaign led by the Learning and Skills Council in conjunction with the government and the Sector Skills Development Agency.

The campaign calls on employers and individuals to take control of their future by investing in skills.

If you are an employer or stakeholder and would like to know more, follow the below links. 

• Employers: find out more about 'Our future. It's in our hands' Opens new window
• Stakeholders: find out more about 'Our future. It's in our hands' Opens new window