Whether you're starting your career, looking for work, hoping to progress professionally or simply want to learn something new, there are a range of training opportunities available in and around Basingstoke and Deane.
We've grouped together local and national providers to help you find courses and qualifications that suit your career stage and goals.
Starting your career
If you are just starting out in your working life and looking to build skills, confidence or qualifications, these providers can help.
Hampshire Learns offers courses that develop the skills, confidence, motivation and resilience of adults of different ages and backgrounds. Courses are delivered face to face at local venues such as community centres, libraries, and village halls across Hampshire as well as online. Subjects include Employability programmes to support learners into work, English and Maths, English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL), Cookery and Food Preparation and much more. Training is free for Hampshire residents aged 19 and over who meet one or more of the qualifying criteria on their website.
If reading is something you find challenging, support is available. Read Easy Basingstoke offers confidential, one-to-one coaching for adults who struggle to read.
Learn My Way offers free online courses to help build essential digital skills and confidence. Barclays LifeSkills is a free employability and financial education programme online. The King's Trust (formerly The Prince's Trust) runs a range of programmes for people aged 16 to 30, helping them gain skills, experience, qualifications and confidence to find employment or start a business. The Skills Toolkit free courses from the National Careers Service will help you learn new skills, including general skills that apply to all sectors and more specialised skills. Screen Skills offer free e-learning courses for those looking to get into the screen industry.
Apprenticeships offer the opportunity to earn while you learn, combining paid employment with training. They are available at a range of levels, from entry-level positions through to degree apprenticeships for more experienced professionals. Read our article on Apprenticeships to dive deeper into these.
Looking for work
Whether you're returning to work, changing careers or have recently been made redundant, there is support available to help you build skills, gain qualifications and improve your job prospects. The M3 Job Club, based in Basingstoke, is a community-based charity made up of a voluntary group of experienced and enthusiastic professionals. It offers people ‘Get Back to Work’ workshops, coaching and mentoring so you can learn all the skills needed to shine in today’s jobs market.
Basingstoke College of Technology’s free courses for jobs are a range of free Level 3 courses for those looking for a career change (subject to eligibility). These include both full-time courses in subjects such as accounting, hospitality and public services along with a number of distance learning courses. Find out more including eligibility requirements on the BCoT website.
Gain new skills, change careers, or upskill in your current role with Hampshire County Council's Skills Bootcamps. These free courses offer sector-specific training and support, with guaranteed interviews for unemployed learners. Residents aged 19 and over living in the Hampshire area are eligible for the Hampshire County Council led Skills Bootcamps. There are a range of courses offered including Coding, Construction, Digital Marketing, Hospitality and project management.
Develop your career
If you're already working and want to build new skills, gain professional qualifications or take the next step towards promotion or career progression, there are a range of flexible learning opportunities available.
Many providers such as the CIM and AAT offer opportunities to gain professional qualifications. They also offer a range of courses for members that help with CPD.
Locally, BCoT's Aspiral Learning team offers a range of free* and flexible distance learning courses that are a great way to build your CV and demonstrate your commitment to continued professional development. Study can be undertaken at your own pace, starting at any time and an allocated individual tutor will support you throughout your learning journey. BCoT also offers part-time professional courses in subjects such as finance, human resources and business administration.
Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council offers local businesses and employees access to a free online learning platform with SEEDL. Once registered, you can take part in an unlimited number of courses. Once a course is completed, participants can download a learning certificate to evidence their personal development in gaining additional skills and knowledge. As an accredited organisation, SEEDL provides training, workshops and events which can count towards continuing professional development, known as CPD hours.
The University Centre, Basingstoke offers higher-level study programmes designed to boost employment and career prospects in the area. The full and part-time courses range from entry-level access to higher education, from Higher National Certificates and foundation degrees, through to professional Level 7 qualifications.
AI and digital skills
Artificial intelligence (AI) and digital tools are helping businesses save time, improve productivity and streamline everyday tasks. If you or your team would like to develop skills in these areas, there are a number of training opportunities available.
SEEDL's AI course catalogue is growing fast and includes training on commonly used AI platforms, such as ChatGPT, Copilot and Gemini and how to use them effectively and responsibly. Local agency, Digital House offers a free AI business and digital marketing workshop. Skills England and the Department for Science Innovation and Technology also have a free training offer, AI Skills Boost. If you're looking to build specialist AI skills, Hampshire Skills Bootcamps also offer a dedicated AI Skills programme.
Green skills and sustainability training
As businesses and industries adapt to a greener future, demand for sustainability knowledge and green skills continues to grow. The Innovation South Virtual Campus (ISVC) learning platform offers a range of courses available to anyone regardless of prior knowledge.
Learning for personal interest
Learning isn't always about career development. You may simply want to explore a new interest, develop a hobby or challenge yourself by learning something new. Hampshire Library Service offers a Community Adult learning programme designed to enhance your knowledge and skills, promote personal growth, explore your creative interests or simply broaden your horizons.
For employers
If you're looking to develop your workforce, many of the providers listed above offer business-focused training and professional qualifications. Businesses wanting to find out more about what the benefits, costs and training of each scheme can do so on the Government website.
*Subject to eligibility checks, these courses are government-funded and can be studied entirely online or in part with a range of supplied resources.
Updated September 2026
The facts
53,500
highly educated employees (RQF4+)
531,350
highly skilled people (NVQ4+) within 60 minute drive time
80.5%
in employment – employed or self-employed
24.1%
aged 20 and under
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