Information for adult learners and job-seekers

Whether you’re starting out or starting again, there’s plenty of support out there to help you plan for your career, develop your skills and find a job.

Jobcentre Plus

Jobcentre Plus is a government-funded employment agency and social security office that helps people of working age to find jobs in the UK. It’s part of the Department for Work and Pensions, and there’s a local office in most UK cities.

Jobcentre Plus provides resources to help people find work, through Jobpoint touch-screen computer terminals, the Jobseeker Direct telephone service and the Jobcentre Plus website. They can help with information about training opportunities if you’re unemployed, and they deal with claims for benefits like Income Support, Incapacity Benefit, and Jobseeker's Allowance.

Helping people who are out of work

In the past, Jobcentre Plus helped both employed and unemployed people to find new jobs. Now they only provide assistance if you’re unemployed and claiming benefits, but anyone can search for jobs themselves through the Jobcentre Plus website, Jobpoints or Jobseeker Direct.

Find out more about Jobcentre Plus

Government employment schemes

The government provides a range of different employment and training schemes to help people of all ages and backgrounds to find work. Some are compulsory for those who are claiming Jobseeker's Allowance, and others are voluntary.

Advice and financial support is available to help make getting into work easier by improving the routes from Jobseeker's Allowance to full-time employment.

Find out more about help with moving from benefits to work

National Careers Service

The National Careers Service provides information, advice and guidance to help you make decisions about learning, training and work. You can get confidential, impartial advice from qualified careers advisers - whether it’s online, face-to-face or over the phone.

How can the National Careers Service help you?

Everyone has the potential to develop and grow in their lives and careers, but sometimes things can get in the way and hold you back. That’s why the National Careers Service website aims to:

  • help you with careers decisions and planning
  • support you in reviewing your skills and abilities and developing new goals
  • motivate you to follow through on your plans
  • enable you to make the best use of different career related tools.

Find out more about the National Careers Service and the career tools available

Funding for learning

Doing a full or part-time course can help you to learn something new, update your skills, improve your CV and boost your confidence. But before you start worrying about how you’ll pay for it, check what funding and financial help is available - you might be surprised.

Find out more about funding for courses and learning