There are many government training programmes, and new initiatives are often launched, which you can find out about at your local Jobcentre Plus office. If you have a disability, various types of help are available to enable you to take part in government training programmes, including individually tailored programmes, aids, equipment, adaptations to premises and equipment, a readership service for blind people and an interpreter service for deaf people. Contact your work coach or ring the National Careers Service in England (0800 100 900), Skills Development Scotland (0800 917 8000), the Careers Service in Northern Ireland (0300 200 7820) or Careers Wales (0800 028 4844).

Work-based learning (WBL) is the name generally used for government-funded schemes that allow you to achieve recognised vocational qualifications at the same time as gaining relevant, practical experience in work situations. WBL covers a number of programmes and courses, such as apprenti