Personal Learning Accounts

Personal Learning Accounts – Part-time studying to enhance your current job or kick-start a brand new career in sectors with skills shortages…

What is a Personal Learning Account?

The PLA Programme provides support across Wales for employed people to upskill and reskill in priority sectors improving your career and earnings potential.

The scheme focuses on those currently earning below £32,371 per annum (the annual median full time male salary) and on qualifications that have a proven track record of improving earnings.

How can I access a Personal Learning Account?

To be eligible for a Personal Learning Account, individuals must

Reside in Wales
Be aged 19 years old or over

In addition, Individuals must meet at least one of the following criteria:

Employed (including self-employed) and earning a basic salary below the median income (£32,371)*, or
Workers on zero hours contracts, or
Agency staff, or
At risk of being made redundant**, or
Offenders on day release, or
Full-time carers (paid or non-paid), where there is capacity on existing courses (i.e. infill)

* for the Digital and Net Zero priorities, there will be no salary cap for 2024/2025.

** only if on Welsh Government list of priority qualifications

Individuals are ineligible if they are:

Under the age of 19 (caveat above), or
attending school or college full-time as a pupil or student, or
In full-time higher education, or
In Welsh Government funded Work Based Learning, or
An ineligible overseas national, or
In receipt of an Assembly Learning Grant or Education Maintenance Allowance, or
Unemployed (i.e. does not have a contract of employment)

Which documents will I be asked to provide to evidence my eligibility?

For 2024/25, national priorities include:

Advanced Materials and Manufacturing (incl. Compound Semiconductors)
Digital (incl. Creative Technology and FinTech)
Health and Social Care (incl. Childcare and Emergency Services)
Hospitality and Tourism (incl. Food Industry)
Net Zero (within Construction, Energy, Engineering and Manufacturing)
Transport and Logistics (incl. HGV/LGV Licences)

What courses are currently available on PLA?

The team at NPTC Group of Colleges are constantly developing new courses to meet the needs of industry.
Explore the opportunities waiting for you by clicking HERE to discover our current course offerings. Be sure to check back often, as we regularly update our list to keep up with your evolving needs. If there’s a course you’re searching for but don’t see, let us know! If it aligns with the Welsh Government’s priorities listed above and supports your career aspirations, we’d love to collaborate with you to make it happen. Our team is here to support you every step of the way and help find the perfect solution for your development goals.

How do I apply for funding?

The process for applying is simple and involves working with the team to discuss your goals and career aspirations, ensuring that the course is the right pathway for you.

Ready to take the first step toward an exciting new career? Simply click the blue banner below to explore our available courses and express your interest in applying for PLA funding. No strings attached! If you’re successful, you could be embarking on a fresh career journey in just a few short weeks.

The funding team will be in touch to discuss further and advise you on your eligibility.