Free Courses for Jobs
As part of the government’s Free Courses for Jobs offer, we’re offering eligible adults aged 19+ the opportunity to study their first full Level 3 qualification for FREE!
These courses are designed to help adults gain new skills and qualifications whilst boosting their employability. They are delivered by Barnsley College and our national and commercial training brand, Independent Training Services (ITS). ITS is a department of Barnsley College and delivers adult and apprenticeship learning across Barnsley, Yorkshire and the UK. They are funded by South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA) and/or West Yorkshire Combined Authority (WYCA).
What courses are available?
- Accounting AAT Level 3 Certificate Part-time (ITS)
- Accounting AAT Level 3 Diploma Part-time
- Adult Care Level 3 Diploma (ITS)
- Advice and Guidance NVQ Level 3 (Work-based) (Flexible start dates)
- Assessing Vocational Achievement Certificate Level 3 VTCT
- Bookkeeping AAT Level 3 Certificate Part-time
- Business Level 3 Foundation Diploma BTEC Full-time
- Computing: Networking and Cybersecurity Level 3 Certificate Part-time
- Counselling Skills Level 3 (January Start)
- Cybersecurity Practices Level 3 Certificate Part-time (ITS)
- Data Level 3 Certificate Part-time (ITS)
- Digital and Content Marketing Level 3 Certificate Part-time
- Occupational Health and Safety NEBOSH National General Certificate Level 3 Part-time
- Principles of Leadership and Management Level 3 Certificate Part-time (ITS)
- Programming Software Development Level 3 Certificate Part-time
- Specialist Support for Teaching and Learning In Schools Level 3 Diploma Part-time (ITS)
- Technical Occupational Entry for the Early Years Workforce Level 3 Diploma Part-time (January)
- Understanding Autism Level 3 Certificate Online (ITS)
- Understanding Mental Health Level 3 Certificate Part-time (ITS) (Flexible start dates)
More courses will be added throughout the year, so keep checking back for new course information.
Eligibility
If you are aged 19 or over, you may not have to pay for this course if:
- You do not already have a level 3 qualification OR
- You already have a level 3 qualification or higher but earn below the earnings threshold set by your local authority, which includes benefits (see below) OR
- You already have a level 3 qualification or higher but are unemployed and in receipt of a means-tested benefit, below the earnings threshold set by your local authority (see below).
You must be living in the South or West Yorkshire regions to qualify for funding.
Earnings Threshold
If you live in the qualifying West Yorkshire region and earn below £26,800 a year then you may not have to pay for this course.
If you live in the qualifying South Yorkshire region and earn below £34,977 a year then you may not have to pay for this course.
If you are not eligible for funding under the Free Courses for Jobs offer an Advanced Learner Loan may be available to help you cover the costs of learning, which you pay back when you are earning over a certain amount.
Don’t miss this opportunity to enhance your skills and open new doors to employment. For further information, contact Barnsley College’s Information Team by emailing: info@barnsley.ac.uk or calling 01226 216 123.
This course is funded by South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA) and/or West Yorkshire Combined Authority (WYCA).
This page was last updated on: 2nd October 2026 12:48pm
