Courses, qualifications and building skills

There are lots of courses, qualifications and training options available for all ages.

Some can be found online and others are delivered by local training providers such as colleges or community organisations.

Find a course

The easiest way to find a course that suits you and your goals is to use the National Careers Service search engine.

This search engine will look for different types of learning opportunities including classroom, work based and online learning delivered by colleges, training providers and local councils.

• Search for a course on the National Careers Service (external link).

Free online courses

You might be surprised to learn that there are many great courses available online for free. They cover topics such as English, Maths, digital and IT, business and finance, health and social care, and personal development and lifestyle.

• Find free online learning courses (external link).

Learning opportunities 16-19 years

Wigan has a number of learning providers who can help young people aged 16-19 access a range of accredited courses and programmes.

• DMR (external link) - Funded NVQ qualifications to access construction employment opportunities
• Expanse learning (external link)
• Fir Tree Fishery (external link) - courses are very practical in nature and involve activities such as land-based, horticulture as well as life skills and outdoor work preparation
• GK training services (external link) - Study Programmes for 16-18 year olds, including functional skills, valuable work experience and enhancement of employability skills
• Groundwork (external link)
• Manchester Digital (external link) - Free digital training and employment support programmes for 16-24 year olds
• The Growth Company education and skills (external link) - qualifications at both GCSE level (including maths and English) and functional skills, as well as high quality work experience placements
• The Prince's Trust (external link) - free courses and tailored one-to-one support to help you gain valuable work experience, explore career choices and build your skills and confidence
• TMP Creative College (external link) - courses in Music Performance and Technology, Multimedia, Tattoo Design and Illustration and Makeup and SFX
• Wigan and Leigh College (external link) - offers a wide range of subjects including A Level subjects, vocational and technical qualifications such as BTECs and apprenticeships
• Wigan Athletic training and skills (external link) - a Level 2 Football and Education Programme with the opportunity to train and play for Wigan Athletic Community Trust
• Wigan Warriors education courses (external link)
• Wigan Youth Zone (external link) - an 8 week employability course which incorporates accreditations, a two week work placement and developing your own skills.

Employment and life skills (all ages)

Where to go if you're looking to gain some general skills so you can build confidence in your day to day life.

• Growth Company skills support for employment (external link) - help to improve your skills, knowledge and confidence, as well as access to exclusive job opportunities not advertised anywhere else
• Join the National Citizenship Service (external link) - Help to build skills for work and life while taking on new challenges and making new friends
• Register for Barclays Life Skills (external link) - a free to use platform with a variety of interactive tools to support people develop skills for work, including CV building, interview prep, building confidence and understanding finances.

Support for Care Leavers

If you are, or have been a Looked After Child in Wigan you may be entitled to our Care Leavers Local Support offer. This includes personalised support in finding employment and training. Visit our page to find out if you are eligible.

Still not sure what to do?

If you’re not sure what course or qualification is right for you, visit our don’t have a plan page where you can book a free appointment with our Aspiring Futures team who will help you get started.