Summer Courses 2024

The Prince’s Trust

If you're aged 16-30, The Prince’s Trust offers a variety of free courses to help you gain confidence, acquire new skills, secure a job, or even start your own business. The Prince’s Trust has supported over a million young people across the UK. Some of the key programs include:

• Explore: This programme is designed to help young people build confidence and gain life skills. It involves a mixture of group activities and one-on-one support, varying from a day to a couple of weeks.
• Get Started: Short courses (typically 5 days) that focus on a specific area such as sports, music, or the arts, helping participants develop skills and make new friends.
• Get Into: Sector-specific training courses (ranging from 2-6 weeks) that give young people the skills and experience needed to secure a job in industries like retail, hospitality, or construction.
• Enterprise: This programme supports young people who want to start their own businesses. It includes four-day workshops, business planning support, funding, and mentorship.

The Prince’s Trust Team Programme is a standout option, lasting 12 weeks and designed to help young people develop essential workplace skills through team-building activities, a community project, and a work placement. For more details and to find the right programme for you, visit their website.

Barclays Digital Wings

Barclays Digital Wings offers a range of free courses aimed at improving digital literacy for people of all ages and backgrounds. This initiative by Barclays Bank provides training on essential digital skills, including:

• Microsoft 365: Learn how to effectively use Microsoft Office applications like Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Social Media: Understand how to use platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn to enhance your personal and professional presence.
• Google Workspace: Get to grips with Google’s suite of productivity tools including Gmail, Google Drive, and Google Docs.
• Online Safety: Learn how to stay safe online, protect your personal information, and recognise potential cyber threats.

Barclays Digital Wings also offers courses on topics like online banking, internet basics, and more advanced digital skills. These courses are designed to be self-paced, allowing you to learn at your own convenience. For more information, visit the Barclays Digital Wings website.

Google Courses

Google is currently offering a selection of free courses through its Digital Garage platform, Coursera, and Google Grow. These courses cover a wide range of topics that can help you enhance your skills and improve your career prospects. Key offerings include:

• Digital Marketing: Learn about the fundamentals of online marketing, including search engine optimisation (SEO), social media marketing, and email marketing.
• Social Media Marketing: Gain insights into creating effective social media strategies, managing campaigns, and analysing performance.
• Cyber Security: Understand the basics of online security, and how to protect yourself and your business from cyber threats.
• Data Analytics: Explore how to collect, analyse, and interpret data to make informed business decisions.

Google’s courses are designed to be flexible and user-friendly, making it easy for anyone to get started regardless of their current skill level. Many of these courses also offer certification upon completion, which can be a valuable addition to your CV. To explore these opportunities, visit the Google Digital Garage website.

These resources provide excellent opportunities for personal and professional development, helping you to build a strong foundation for your future career. Take advantage of these free courses to expand your skills and increase your employability.