Free & Flexible
Give your career a kickstart!
If you’re over 19, in a job earning less than £34,303 a year* and want to take the next step to a great career, a Personal Learning Account could be just what you’re looking for.
Personal Learning Accounts are free courses designed to equip you with the skills and qualifications that local employers are looking for to help you take advantage of skills shortages and get your career moving.
Welsh Government are committed to building a stronger, greener economy as they strive to make maximum progress towards decarbonisation. Upskilling in the Net Zero and Digital sectors will help support this commitment. We have therefore removed the wage criterion on the following courses:
- Electrical Energy Storage Systems: Installation and Commissioning
- Air Source and Ground Source Heat Pumps
- Hot Water: Solar Thermal Heating
- Solar Photovoltaic Systems – Small Scale
Please note: PLA eligibility criteria and courses may change throughout the year.
Contact Working Wales:
- Monday to Friday: 09:00 to 17:00
0800 028 4844
workingwales@careerswales.gov.wales
central@pembrokeshire.ac.uk
About PLAs
Who is eligible?
Current eligibility includes:
- aged 19+
- resident in Wales
- employed (inc. part-time, self-employed, agency, zero hour); earning below male median wage (£32,371 a year)
- under notice of redundancy (can continue with course if made redundant after starting)
- full-time carers (eligible to infill on PLA courses where there is capacity)
How can the programme be accessed?
You can access the programme by making contact with Working Wales for a pre-admissions assessment. An experienced careers adviser will discuss your career aspirations and talk you through the Personal Learning Account process. They will make sure that the course you choose is right for you.
Call: 0800 028 4844
Email: workingwales@careerswales.gov.wales
Alternatively, you can contact us directly on central@pembrokeshire.ac.uk
Do I need any specific skills or qualifications?
As the programme is aimed at individuals that would like to change their career then no prior knowledge of the sector is often needed. Some of the courses can also be accessed with no specific skills or qualifications. You will have the opportunity to discuss the course requirements with your Working Wales advisor or with the college when you have a pre‑admission assessment.
Are these open to the self-employed?
Yes these are open to the self-employed and employed, providing that you meet all other eligibility criteria.
Can I access more than one course?
Yes, prior to starting the course you will develop a training plan which will set out the courses/qualifications you can undertake to help you progress your career in whichever sector you choose. However, you must ensure that you can commit to completing any or all the courses prior to starting and you are only able to complete one course at a time.
How do I know when the course will run?
We will aim to deliver the learning around people’s family and work commitments. Your availability will be discussed during your pre-admission assessment.
Are you able to do these if you already have a degree?
Yes you can. Although, if you’re currently studying on a full-time basis for a degree or any other formal qualification, you would not be eligible.
What is Working Wales and why do clients need to register with them?
Working Wales provides a simple approach to employability support by providing individuals with a single point of contact through which they can access the personalised advice, guidance, support and training they need to secure and maintain long-term employment.
The free advice service offers support face-to-face as well as via digital means like telephone, webchat, email and one-to-one advisory support using Microsoft Teams for video interviewing, to anyone over the age of 16 who is not in full-time education and wants to secure a job. Support available includes job specific training, job searches, CV writing, confidence building, interview preparation and securing work placements. The expert advisers can also signpost people to programmes where they can access childcare support and transport assistance. It is now the main channel for people looking for training and employment.
Current eligibility includes:
- aged 19+
- resident in Wales
- employed (inc. part-time, self-employed, agency, zero hour); earning below male median wage (£34,303 a year)
- under notice of redundancy (can continue with course if made redundant after starting)
- full-time carers (eligible to infill on PLA courses where there is capacity)
You can access the programme by making contact with Working Wales for a pre-admissions assessment. An experienced careers adviser will discuss your career aspirations and talk you through the Personal Learning Account process. They will make sure that the course you choose is right for you.
Call: 0800 028 4844
Email: workingwales@careerswales.gov.wales
Alternatively, you can contact us directly on central@pembrokeshire.ac.uk
As the programme is aimed at individuals that would like to change their career then no prior knowledge of the sector is often needed. Some of the courses can also be accessed with no specific skills or qualifications. You will have the opportunity to discuss the course requirements with your Working Wales advisor or with the college when you have a pre‑admission assessment.Yes these are open to the self-employed and employed, providing that you meet all other eligibility criteria.Yes, prior to starting the course you will develop a training plan which will set out the courses/qualifications you can undertake to help you progress your career in whichever sector you choose. However, you must ensure that you can commit to completing any or all the courses prior to starting and you are only able to complete one course at a time.We will aim to deliver the learning around people’s family and work commitments. Your availability will be discussed during your pre-admission assessment.Yes you can. Although, if you’re currently studying on a full-time basis for a degree or any other formal qualification, you would not be eligible.
Working Wales provides a simple approach to employability support by providing individuals with a single point of contact through which they can access the personalised advice, guidance, support and training they need to secure and maintain long-term employment.
The free advice service offers support face-to-face as well as via digital means like telephone, webchat, email and one-to-one advisory support using Microsoft Teams for video interviewing, to anyone over the age of 16 who is not in full-time education and wants to secure a job. Support available includes job specific training, job searches, CV writing, confidence building, interview preparation and securing work placements. The expert advisers can also signpost people to programmes where they can access childcare support and transport assistance. It is now the main channel for people looking for training and employment.
About the Costs
The course will be 100% funded by the Welsh Government. However, you will need to pay for your travel and ensure you have sufficient time to be able to commit to attending and completing the course.
Will I have to refund the course fees if I am unable to complete the course?
We understand that personal circumstances change and there will be situations where participants may be in a position where they are unable to continue their course. However, we do ask that you ensure you can commit to the course prior to starting.
What happens if I drop out of the course, would I be able to apply again?
We understand personal circumstances change. You could apply to undertake a new course, if you still meet the eligibility criteria for the programme. However, we would expect you to commit to the course and if you dropped out for a second time, you would not be entitled to future funding through the Personal Learning Account.
Why have these courses been chosen?
These courses meet skills shortages that have been identified within priority sectors in Wales. It is expected that these sectors will create job opportunities now or in the future. These courses have been chosen following extensive engagement with employers, stakeholders, representative groups and potential participants to ensure they address the skills shortages within these sectors. We will continue to review this and additional sectors may be added in the future.
What type of account is it? Do I get money directly?
You wouldn’t receive the money directly, you just need to enrol on the course. The college will be paid directly by the Welsh Government.
If it is a personal account will it support childcare, travel and so on?
No childcare or travel costs will be funded.
