Looking to upskill or retrain in Wales? Whether you’re a job seeker, a career changer, an employee aiming to advance, or an employer seeking to develop your team, there are fully-funded and part-funded training programmes available. In this post, we’ll explore the key funding opportunities – from Personal Learning Accounts (PLA) to Level 1 funding and the Skills for the Workplace initiative – and explain how you can benefit. All these programmes are backed by the Welsh Government or regional partnerships, offering flexible learning options to fit around your schedule.
Personal Learning Account (PLA) – Core and Digital Funding Options
Both PLA Core and PLA Digital offer free training for adults in Wales through Welsh Government funding, with flexible instructor-led options. The main difference lies in eligibility: PLA Core supports learners earning £34,303 or less, while PLA Digital has no salary cap and focuses on digital and IT skills.
- Eligibility: You must be 19 or over, living in Wales, and either employed (including self-employed) or a full-time carer.
- Courses Covered: These programmes fund a wide range of professional IT and project management courses addressing skills shortages in Wales. Popular NILC courses include PRINCE2®, PRINCE2 Agile®, AgilePM, ITIL® Foundation, and numerous digital certifications such as CompTIA A+, Network+, Security+ and Microsoft Azure and Power BI.
- How to Apply: The PLA funding year 2025–2026 is now open. To apply, contact NILC to speak with a funding adviser who will guide you through eligibility checks and enrolment. Once approved, you can select from a wide range of fully funded courses across management, IT, and digital disciplines.
This streamlined approach combines both PLA schemes for a simpler understanding and reduces overlap in eligibility and process.
Personal Learning Account (PLA) Core is a Welsh Government-funded programme that provides free training courses to help adults gain in-demand skills and qualifications. If you meet the criteria, you can study without any course fees – a fantastic opportunity to boost your career prospects.
- Eligibility: To qualify, you must be aged 19 or over, live in Wales, and be employed (including self-employed, agency or zero-hour) or a paid/unpaid full-time carer, earning £34,303 a year or less. This income cap means PLA Core is aimed at low-to-mid earners. If you earn above £34,303, don’t worry – you may be interested in PLA Digital which has no salary cap.
- Courses Covered: PLA Core focuses on professional IT and project management courses that address skills shortages in Wales. At NILC, you can choose from a broad range of fully-funded courses under PLA Core. Popular options include a number of Project Management Courses. This funding also covers other in-demand areas like IT service management (ITIL® Foundation) and technical IT skills. View the full list of PLA-funded courses.
- How to Apply: The PLA funding year 2025–2026 is now open. To apply, simply contact NILC to speak with a PLA funding adviser. They will guide you through the application and eligibility check. Typically, you’ll need to provide proof of age, residency in Wales, and income. Once approved, NILC helps arrange your enrolment on the funded course of your choice.
Personal Learning Account (PLA) Digital – Free Tech Courses with No Salary Cap: Do you earn above the PLA Core income threshold, or are you interested in digital and IT courses? PLA Digital is a newer extension of the Personal Learning Account scheme designed to support Wales residents in gaining technical skills, regardless of income level.
- What It Covers: PLA Digital offers fully-funded courses in digital, IT and technical fields. Over 35 courses are available under this programme, including Scrum Master, Product Owner, ITIL® Foundation, CompTIA certifications (such as A+, Network+, Security+), Cisco CCNA, and Microsoft technical courses like Azure, Power BI, and Microsoft 365. Qualifications following these training courses are in high demand across the UK job market.
- Why Choose PLA Digital: The key advantage of PLA Digital is that there’s no earnings limit – even if you earn above £34k, you can still get a free course in the digital/IT category. This makes it ideal for professionals in Wales who want to pivot into tech or gain new technical certifications without financial constraints. Like PLA Core, courses are delivered flexibly (virtually or classroom-based) by NILC’s expert instructors.
- How to Get Started: To apply for PLA Digital funding, follow the same process as PLA Core. Contact NILC to express interest, and the team will verify your eligibility and help you apply.
Level 1 Funding – Free Essential IT Skills Courses (ICDL)
Many learners use the ICDL qualification to improve efficiency at work such as creating professional reports in Word, analysing sales data in Excel, or designing impactful presentations in PowerPoint, helping them boost productivity and confidence in everyday business tasks.
If you need to build foundational skills, the Level 1 Funding programme can help you gain basic qualifications at no cost. This scheme is perfect for adults who want to improve their essential IT or office skills – for example, to become proficient with Microsoft Office applications.
- Eligibility: You qualify for Level 1 funding if you are 19 or older and living in Wales. This funding is open to both those currently in employment (any income level) and those who are unemployed. It’s a great option for job seekers who need new skills to get back into work, as well as employees looking to strengthen their IT literacy.
- Courses Covered: The flagship course is the ICDL Level 1 Award, which covers Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint. It’s an internationally recognised qualification that demonstrates digital literacy to employers. Courses are short, flexible, and can be studied in the daytime or evening.
Skills for the Workplace – Part-Funded Upskilling for South West Wales
Employers and learners in South West Wales can benefit from Skills for the Workplace, a programme that provides 50% funding towards a wide range of courses. It’s designed to upskill individuals and help local businesses grow.
- Eligibility: Available to those who live or work in Carmarthenshire, Neath Port Talbot, Pembrokeshire or Swansea. Learners must be aged 16 or over and either employed, self-employed or unemployed.
- Courses Covered: NILC offers a variety of eligible courses under this scheme, including PRINCE2®, AgilePM, and Microsoft technical training such as Power BI and Azure. Learn more about courses available with Skills for the Workplace funding.
- How to Apply: Contact NILC to discuss your course choice and eligibility. NILC will help you complete the funding application and confirm your personal contribution before you enrol.
NILC’s ‘Excellent’ Trustpilot Rating – Training You Can Trust
When choosing a training provider, quality matters. NILC is rated “Excellent” on Trustpilot, with hundreds of reviews praising our expert instructors, engaging courses, and flexible learning experience. Read our reviews on Trustpilot.
Get Started – Contact NILC for Funded Training Advice
Choosing the right funded course can seem daunting, but NILC is here to help you find the perfect fit. Our advisers will walk you through the funding options, help with applications, and guide you towards the best course for your goals.
Contact NILC today to unlock Welsh Government funding opportunities and start your learning journey. Upskilling or retraining could be the boost your career or business needs.
