Learning Without Cost
Free courses, mentorship and reskilling initiatives from organisations dedicated to supporting returners.
BackFree courses, mentorship and communities
Looking for an accredited route instead? These external resources are useful starting points, but they aren't Tech Industry Gold accredited. Browse our accredited programmes catalogue for quality-assured options.
Major free training programmes
Digital Garage
Over 100 free self-paced courses across data & tech, digital marketing and career development, including a Fundamentals of Digital Marketing certificate accredited by the IAB and The Open University.
Microsoft Learn
Microsoft
Free self-paced training covering AI, cloud, data and more, including free hands-on Applied Skills credentials that never expire.
SkillsBuild
IBM
Free courses in cybersecurity, data analysis, cloud computing and more for adult learners, plus a career assessment tool and credentials recognised by employers.
AWS Skill Builder
Amazon Web Services
Hundreds of free self-paced digital courses covering cloud fundamentals and core AWS services, plus free foundational hands-on labs for beginners.
More free resources
everywoman Sponsored Returners Programme
everywoman
A two-day development programme with skills training for women returning to work. Apply by emailing your CV with the subject "everywoman Sponsored Returners Programme".
Women Returners Professional Network
Women Returners
Advice, inspiration articles and success stories for returning professionals.
Digital Academy
Digital Mums
Upskilling through a Digital Academy, supporting flexible, digital-first careers for mothers.
Career Comeback Workshops
Talent Keepers
Specialist career comeback workshops for people returning to work after a break.
Rapid Application Development Training
KnowledgeKube
Free platform access and training for building applications without deep programming language complexity.
The Returners Database
The Buy-Side Club
A free online portal to register your professional profile as a career-break returner, connecting you with employers looking for returning talent.
Tech Taster & #techreturners
#techmums
A free tech taster course plus a dedicated #techreturners programme with mentoring and networking.
Return to STEM
The Open University
A free online course with a digital badge and Statement of Participation on completion, for people returning to STEM careers.
Web Development Coding Course
Mums in Technology
A child-friendly, six-week web development course covering HTML, CSS, JavaScript, Git, UX and databases, taught with an Agile approach.
HP LIFE
HP Foundation
Free online IT and business skills training — over 30 self-paced courses (30 minutes to an hour each) covering communication, innovation, finance, marketing and operations, with a certificate on completion.
Finished a free course? Here's where it leads.
A free taster builds confidence and a first line for your CV. When you're ready to go further, Tech Industry Gold accredited programmes are the quality-assured route into a tech role.
Where to go next
Return to Tech Pathways
See accredited routes into tech roles, with salary context.
Digital Skills Check
Get a starting point before choosing what to study.
Funding & Support
Skills Bootcamps, adult education and bursary routes.
Confidence Hub
Support for the non-financial side of returning to work.
Opportunities & Employer Insights
Returnships, apprenticeships and dedicated employer programmes.
For Employers
Training providers and the business case for returner programmes.
Not sure where to start?
The Digital Skills Check takes two minutes and helps point you towards the right pathway.
Start the Digital Skills Check