If you are looking to change your career or considering transitioning into a new role it is important you continue to keep your skills and knowledge up to date.  Whether you are looking to reskill to transition into a new job or upskill to become more skilled in your current job, there are lots on on-line training available you can tap into for free.  It’s worth searching online platforms such as LinkedIn and see what’s on offer.

Whilst many of us are still working remotely, the transfer of skills, knowledge and mentoring in the workplace may not be so easy as it has in the past. It is important you continue to train whilst on the job and digital platforms such are Teams or Zoom have allowed this to continue for some. 

The Scottish Government offers initiatives through Skills Development Scotland who are the skills agency for Scotland and are a great first point of contact, it’s worth getting in touch to get advice.  My World of Work is an extension to Skills Development Scotland and their website has a plethora of advice and tools to help you in your career.

Universities are also offering fully funded training courses and the next intake will be in September.  It is worth researching which Universities are providing this free fully funded training and what courses are available.

With all the free training available it is the perfect time to reskill and/or upskill.  This will help should you find yourself out of work or looking for a change of career and may make you stand out from the rest.

It is time to start taking control of your future and tap into resources that will help you reach your goals.  This can have a positive impact on your mental health & wellbeing.

The UK Government offers advice and help to those who need it especially during COVID.  In the current Covid-19 crisis many providers are extending their online course provision. There are also commercial organisations offering some of their usually paid for courses for free. Make sure to check there is definitely no cost before signing up. Some providers to check are:

• Accenture

• Barclays Lifeskills

• LinkedIn Learning

• Pluralsight - some free introductory digital skills courses available

• Rolls Royce Digital Academy

English courses

Improve your written and spoken English skills.

• The British Council

• Pearson (UK Learns)

Maths courses

Improve your own maths or help your children to learn number skills.

• National Numeracy Challenge

• Khan Academy

Other short courses include:

Digital/IT courses - Get online as a beginner, learn how to use Word, and PowerPoint, or develop advanced computer skills for things like data science and coding. 

Business/Finance courses - Advanced skills to be more effective in a business environment. Learn management, business, and financial practices, from leadership to bookkeeping or take a course in health and safety regulations.

Personal development and lifestyle courses

Develop an interest or hobby, improve your personal skills, or take care of your own mental wellbeing.

• Alison

• Barclays Digital Eagles

• Coursera

• Future Learn

• IBM

• Google

• iDEA

• Khan Academy

• Learning Curve Group

• Talented Training

• Vision2Learn

• Pearson (UK Learns)

These are all listed on the Government website.