Developing new and current skills is an important part of working for yourself. It can help you find more clients, increase your rates, or move into new business areas. But courses can be expensive, so knowing how to find funding for training if you’re self-employed will help whether you’re just starting out, or looking to grow your career on a limited budget.
There may be more financial support available than you realise, as there are various sources of grants, bursaries, scholarships, and other assistance. But because many are provided at a local level or a range of organisations including trade associations, non-profits, and private companies, you’ll need to be prepared to do a bit of research.
And unlike loans, most of these options don’t require you to pay the amount back in the future.
When you’ve located sources of potential funding for training, it’s important to check the eligibility and application process. And if you’re unsuccessful at your first attempt, don’t let that dissuade you from looking for financial support in the future.
If you can’t secure funding, there are also a wide range of free courses available online, or in person, offered by a range of organisations including Google, LinkedIn, Microsoft and more, alongside Level 3 qualifications and Skills Bootcamps provided by the UK government. And IPSE members currently get access to the 12-month early-stage Incubator to support their new career.
- Where to find funding for training if you’re self-employed
- Useful sources to check for grants and financial support
- Can you claim any training costs as self-employed expenses?
- How to improve your chances of securing a training grant
- More support to grow your skills, and your business
