Skills bootcamps

With no cost for learners and guaranteed interviews with local employers upon completion, skills bootcamps make it easier than ever to progress in your career, switch paths, or enter skilled employment

What are skills bootcamps?

Skills bootcamps are short, focused training programmes designed by employers to equip you with industry-specific skills in as little as 16 weeks.

According to the Department for Education:

• 68% of skills bootcamp graduates agreed they gained new skills useful for employment
• 59% said the bootcamp increased their confidence
• 56% reported a positive outcome - like a new job, promotion, or increased business if they were self-employed.

What courses are available?

Popular bootcamps include:

• business and administration - project management, finance, insurance
• childcare and teaching - early years education, child development, health and safety
• digital technology - software development, data analytics, UX design, digital marketing
• green skills - electric vehicle (EV) maintenance, heat pumps, sustainable construction
• health and social care - wellbeing, care support, care management
• HGV driving - for new or returning drivers
• technical trades - construction, engineering, manufacturing.

Search for a skills bootcamp.

Courses are available across England, with subjects varying by region and provider. To see what's available in your area, see the National Careers Service.

Am I eligible for a skills bootcamp?

Anyone aged 19 or over with the right to work in the UK can join a bootcamp.

You don't need to be unemployed - many bootcamps are also suitable if you're self-employed, especially you want to start a business or take on new types of work.

Skills bootcamps can also act as continuing professional development (CPD), helping professionals stay up to date with industry trends and enhance their career progression. If you're employed, your employer will need to contribute towards the cost, with the exact amount depending on the size of the business. See GOV.UK - Find employer schemes for full details.

Most bootcamps welcome beginners, but some need you to have specific qualifications or experience. For example, the Professional Driver License Upgrade Bootcamp with Tyneside Training Services asks you to:

• have a medical with a qualified doctor
• pass an assessment in English and maths
• hold a full UK driving licence.

Some courses may also require you to live within a specific postcode. Always check the course details carefully and contact the provider directly to confirm your eligibility.

How do skills bootcamps work?

Bootcamps focus on practical, career-ready learning. You'll work on real projects, have a mentor, and often take short industry placements to gain first-hand experience.

Most bootcamps are designed with flexibility in mind, so you can study alongside work, childcare, or other commitments. You can study:

• fully online
• in person
• via blended learning.

Courses are divided into modules, making it easier to progress at a steady pace. Most bootcamps offer extra help such as:

• CV advice
• interview preparation sessions
• coaching tailored to your career goals.

For example, the Digital Marketing Bootcamp at UWE Bristol includes 10 in-person teaching days, combined with weekly online self-study (around two and a half hours per week). Upon completion, you'll earn a Professional Diploma in Digital Marketing.

Will I get a qualification from a skills bootcamp?

Some skills bootcamps lead to formal qualifications, while others focus on building skills employers value and real-world experience. Qualification levels can vary depending on the course and provider.

For example, the Health and Social Care Skills Bootcamp delivered by Surrey County Council includes recognised certificates ranging from Level 1 to Level 3, such as:

• Level 1 Award in Mental Health Awareness
• Level 2 Award for Emergency First Aid for Mental Health
• Level 3 Applied General Award in Health and Social Care.

Always check the course details to see if a qualification is included. For information on nationally recognised certificates, see our guide to qualifications.

Even if your bootcamp doesn't offer a formal qualification, you'll still gain skills and work experience that can boost your career prospects or lead to a qualification down the line.

How much do bootcamps cost?

If you're eligible, bootcamps are usually free - government funding covers tuition, materials, and assessments.

If you're already employed and taking part in a bootcamp to upskill, your employer may be asked to contribute to the cost. For instance, if you work for a large employer (250 or more employees) and the bootcamp costs £2,000 per learner, the employer would be required to contribute 30% - that's £600. For small to medium-sized employers (1 to 249 employees), the required contribution is lower, at just 10%.

The exact details can vary, so it's best to check with your training provider before applying.

What happens after I complete a bootcamp?

You'll be guaranteed a job interview once you complete a skills bootcamp.

Depending on your goals, a bootcamp could help you:

• expand your services if you're self-employed
• find a new job
• progress to a higher position in your current role
• start a new course.

Skills bootcamps can also accelerate future apprenticeships by reducing the time required to complete the programme. The knowledge and skills gained through a bootcamp are recognised as prior learning, potentially shortening an apprenticeship by up to three months.

Many learners see results quickly after completing a bootcamp. According to the DfE, 60% of graduates reported a change in job title after completing a course, and 51% saw an increase insalary.

Can I do more than one bootcamp?

You can take one skills bootcamp per funding year (April to March).

If you start a course but it's not right for you, you may be able to switch - as long as you leave before the provider gets the first round of government funding.

Once you've completed a bootcamp, you're welcome to apply for another in the following funding year. Skills bootcamps are designed to be stackable, allowing you to continue building your skills as your career evolves.

How do I apply for a skills bootcamp?

Applying is straightforward - most courses have a quick online application form. You'll typically be asked to provide:

• basic information about yourself
• why you want to join
• your work history or career goals.

Some bootcamps also include pre-course preparation. For example, the Trainee Cyber Security Consultant Bootcamp with CAPSLOCK requires between 20-25 hours of self-paced study before the course begins. This includes watching videos, reading, and taking quizzes to make sure you're up to speed before you start.

Be sure to check the course page for any additional steps or requirements. If you're unsure about anything, your training provider can talk you through the process.

Find out more

• Explore our guide to adult education.
• Discover how to change careers.
• Check out what else the further education sector has to offer.