This move is part of a £20 million national investment to boost construction skills and support more adults into secure, skilled employment.

The initiative, which offers free access to qualifications for adults aged 19 and over, is designed to help those without a Level 3 qualification—or earning below a certain threshold—gain industry-relevant skills. The latest expansion focuses on construction, engineering, and manufacturing, with a strong emphasis on practical, occupational entry routes.

Among the newly approved qualifications are eight from NOCN Group, a well respected awarding organisation known for its commitment to accessible, employer-aligned training. These include:

• NOCN Level 2 NVQ for Construction and Civil Engineering Operations (General Construction)
• NOCN Level 2 NVQs for Plant Operations, covering Fork-Lift Trucks, Transporting Loads, and Excavating
• NOCN Level 2 Diplomas in Bricklaying, Painting and Decorating, Plastering, and Carpentry and Joinery

These qualifications are part of a broader list of 24 new Level 2 reformed technical qualifications now eligible under the scheme. All are aligned with occupational standards developed in collaboration with employers and approved by the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education. This ensures that learners are gaining skills that are not only nationally recognised but also in high demand across the UK’s construction and engineering sectors.

All of the qualifications now listed under the FCJS initiative can be found on the government website. The government has confirmed that these courses will attract the standard £600 and £150 funding uplifts available under the Free Courses for Jobs programme. Providers in non-devolved areas - meaning areas where the adult education budget (AEB) is still managed centrally by the UK government - will receive an uplift in their allocations for 2025–26 to support delivery. Further details are expected by the end of June 2025.

Tracey Patmore, Head of Products at NOCN Group, said:

“We are proud to see our new Level 2 qualifications included in the Free Courses for Jobs offer . This expansion not only widens access to the construction industry for learners across the country, but also reinforces NOCN’s role as a skills solution organisation that truly values and supports the sector. We’ve worked closely with employers to ensure these qualifications reflect real-world needs, and we’re committed to helping more people build meaningful careers in construction.”

By including these new NOCN Group qualifications, the initiative strengthens its focus on job-readiness and progression. It’s a timely opportunity for individuals to gain practical, employer-valued skills and for the construction industry to benefit from a more robust pipeline of trained workers.

Find out more about all our qualifications in the Construction sector here.