What you need to know
Information for Parents and Carers
The courses and qualifications we offer are an alternative to school or college for young people.
Young people must participate in full-time education or training until age 18, but traditional college or sixth form isn’t the only route to success. Our Courses and Traineeships for 16-24-year-olds offer career-focused training, qualifications and work experience.
Skills Training UK tutors work closely with young people to discover their strengths, develop their skills and boost their confidence so they can find a career path that’s right for them.
Learners generally choose a variety of learning units or skills which are assessed using assignments based on real-life scenarios. This practical approach allows learners to develop and apply the knowledge and skills that employers (and universities) are looking for.
Our courses are free to access, and financial support is available to learners if eligible.
Child Tax Credit: this benefit usually stops on 31 August after your child turns 16 but can continue for children under 20 in approved education and training, including those taking vocational qualifications or studying on a Traineeship with Skills Training UK. You will need to notify HMRC as soon as possible to make sure you are receiving the right amount.
Why it works
Sometimes a traditional educational setting, such as a school or college has not been right for a young person. They may be experiencing other challenges which have affected their experience.
Learning with us is different.
- We have inclusive group classes, which are smaller than school or college, and our trainers make learning fun.
- Learners who need extra help can get support from our experienced mentors. We can help remove barriers which may be affecting an individual’s focus on learning and their ability to achieve future goals.
- Our Mentor-Me programme provides more intensive support to young people who are facing challenging personal circumstances, or who are struggling with their mental health.
- All our tutors and mentors have completed mental health first aid training to help them identify when someone is struggling and know what steps to take to support them.
- Bursaries and travel support are available if the young person is eligible.
We are not like school or college
Independent Training Provider
The nationally-recognised qualifications young people achieve with us develop their specialist subject knowledge and skills and also prepare them for further study, the workplace and a job search.
School and College Partners
We partner with schools and colleges, supporting their careers service. They will refer students to us if they think we can give them what they need to kick-start their journey to a fulfilling career.
Tailored one-to-one support
Learners are taught in small groups with extensive one-to-one support and mentoring. Everyone can achieve more with the right support and we are here to make sure no-one gets left behind.
Keep moving forward
Getting that all important Maths or English qualification can open a lot of doors; work experience, employability skills and help with a CV can open the door to job interviews and employment; a Traineeship can lead to an Apprenticeship or a job, and an Apprenticeship is a job, with extra training.
What happens next?
Our goal is to support young people to progress onto the next stage of their journey towards a fulfilling career.
That could be a higher-level qualification in an industry they are passionate about; a Traineeship which combines study and work experience; an Apprenticeship, in which they are taken on by an employer and offered further training in their chosen field, or straight into a job.
We offer courses at Level 1, 2 and 3 and we will support young people to prepare CVs and flag suitable opportunities for further study and employment.
I do believe that Skills Training UK fills the gap in the school education system. It’s certainly a place I would recommend, not just for the educational needs of a child to be met, but also the emotional and psychological needs that are often overlooked.
Rebecca Causer, parent of Study Programme learner
Explore Further
