Maximise your potential with an online training course.
Whether you’re looking to upskill in your current profession, retrain or simply learn something new, there is a wide range of distance learning courses available to adults aged 19 or over. This includes free online courses with qualifications and non-accredited courses.
By choosing to study an online course, you can study at your own pace whilst benefiting from high-quality teaching and support from our experienced teachers.
Free Adult Learning Courses
For those looking to retrain, we offer a series of introductory courses that provide you with an insight the industry and teaches those essential skills. From here, you can continue onto higher-level qualifications and courses either online or on-site.
If you’re wanting to upskill, there is a wide range of online training courses that support your development in industry-specific skills or your general professional development.
The distance learning courses are completely free for anyone aged 19 or over (on the 31st August 2022), irrespective of their current employment status, but applicants must live in a non-devolved area (Please check if your postcode is eligible here). Applicants aged 19-23 must already have a full level 2 qualification to be eligible.
Business and management
Childcare
First aid
Health and social care
Personal development and employability
Retail and warehousing
IMPORTANT
We can’t accept enrolments from people who live in the following areas:
Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority
Greater London Authority
Greater Manchester Combined Authority
Liverpool City Region Combined Authority
Newcastle Upon Tyne, North Tyneside and Northumberland Combined Authority
South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority
Tees Valley Combined Authority
West Midlands Combined Authority
West of England Combined Authority
Frequently asked questions
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Am I eligible?
The distance learning courses are completely free for anyone aged 19 or over (on the 31st August 2022), irrespective of their current employment status, but applicants must live in England in a non-devolved area (see below). Applicants aged 19-23 must already have a full level 2 qualification to be eligible.
Unfortunately we can’t accept enrolments from people who live in the following devolved areas:
Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority
Greater London Authority
Greater Manchester Combined Authority
Liverpool City Region Combined Authority
Newcastle Upon Tyne, North Tyneside and Northumberland Combined Authority
South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority
Tees Valley Combined Authority
West Midlands Combined Authority
West of England Combined Authority
If you’re unsure whether you qualify for a course, please apply and we will confirm after checking your postcode.
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How long will it take to complete the course?
You’ll have three months to complete the course, but you can complete it within two weeks if you spend more time studying. Each level 2 course will usually take 30-50 hours to complete.
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Is a distance learning course for me?
A distance learning course, or online learning as it is sometimes referred to, enables you to undertake a recognised qualification in a flexible way; you can study around your existing commitments and responsibilities, and it is great for developing your confidence in your new found skills. If you are employed, furloughed, or unemployed and looking to get back into work, an online course could give you the motivation you need to succeed in your goals.
A distance learning course is also ideal if you are looking to further develop existing skills in order to progress within your current company or would like to start your own business. Our online courses are for adults aged 19 and over who are looking to develop new knowledge and skills to improve job prospects, with a wide variety of subjects to choose from. The courses are designed to fit around other responsibilities such as full or part-time work, home schooling or caring responsibilities, and are to be completed within three months from enrolment.
Your assessor will email you shortly after enrolling to introduce themselves and to provide you with some assessment guidelines; the assessor is there to help and advise you with any queries during your course, and provide the support necessary for you to succeed. Once you’ve passed your qualification you will receive a certificate from the awarding body, providing evidence of your learning to existing or new employers.
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How can I get more information
If you’d like more information, please send us an email stating which course/s you’d like more information about.
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How do I sign up for a course?
All you need to do is sign up using our simple online form. We’ll then send you an electronic enrolment form to complete and return back to us. Once we have received your electronic enrolment form you’ll then be sent an email with instructions on how to access the online courses.
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What equipment will I need?
Ideally you’ll need a laptop or tablet, along with internet access, to undertake the course; you may be able to complete the course using a mobile phone, depending on the screen size, but it won’t be as easy to complete all the online resources and assessments.
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Can I enrol on to more than one course?
You can enrol on to more than one course, but you’ll only be able to access the materials for one course at a time. Once you’ve completed a course, send us an email and we’ll add the next course onto your profile.