6 Skills Bootcamps That Are Hot Right Now 2023
Details: Written by Kate Hutchinson
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It’s Bonfire Night here at The Skills Network HQ, and we can't wait to watch our nearest firework display and tuck into a toffee apple or 2. As 2023 rapidly hurtles through its final 3 months, it’s a good opportunity to consider what you (our incredible adult learners) want to achieve in the not-too-distant future. Perhaps you want to stoke the glowing embers of your current job role. Or maybe, you’re ready for a total career change and come back with a BANG! No matter your circumstance, you’d be firecrackers not to consider a government-funded Skills Bootcamp with us. This short blog will pinwheel you through our explosive range of 6 Skills Bootcamp courses designed to upskill and provide a fast-track route to career progression.
What are Skills Bootcamps?
Skills Bootcamps are free, flexible online courses of up to 14 weeks for learners living in England, giving people the opportunity to build up sector-specific skills and fast-track career progression.
These have been developed as part of the Government’s Lifetime Skills Guarantee and Plan for Jobs, helping everyone gain skills for life and providing the perfect first step into a new career. The £3bn Government initiative is designed to close the skills gap in the UK that was intensified by the disruption that coronavirus caused to job sectors and businesses.
Skills Bootcamps are a great way to progress in a current position with the support of your employer, grow your business, change careers, or secure employment.
Discover more about Skills Bootcamps
How Much Does a Skills Bootcamp Cost?
Skills Bootcamps are fully funded (that means free) for…
- Learners who are unemployed for less than 12 months
- Learners who are employed and looking for a career change
- Self-employed learners who are looking to grow their business
- Employers recruiting an individual who has completed a Skills Bootcamp
Large employers looking to upskill their current staff will contribute 30% of the cost for their staff members' upskilling.
Small or medium employers (SMEs) will contribute 10% for their staff members’ upskilling.
Register your interest in a Skills Bootcamp for workforce development
6 Skills Bootcamps That Are Hot Right Now
Now you know what Skills Bootcamps are for and how you can access free online courses thanks to government funding, it’s time to find a Skills Bootcamp that is right for you.
Our Skills Bootcamp follow an intensive 14-week programme whereby learners must commit to:
- 7 hours of group live learning sessions every week
- 5 hours of independent pre-learning every week
Once you are verified as being eligible for the Skills Bootcamp, you can choose from the below range of days and times to attend your live learning sessions:
Daytime & Weekend sessions:
9am – 4:30pm
Evening sessions:
Tuesday & Wednesday 6:30pm – 9pm
Thursday 6:30pm – 8:30pm
*Please note your chosen day and time will occur every week for the full 14-week programme
Learn more about Skills Bootcamps eligibility criteria on our website
Upon completion of all mandatory learning, Skills Bootcamps learners are guaranteed a job interview within the relevant sector.
1) Software Development Skills Bootcamp
This course is ideal for those who wish to increase their knowledge and improve their software development skills to support them in entering a new role or securing additional business.
- Learn the best practices for developing software such as apps and websites.
- Learn the process of how to develop a website or app and how to best protect it from internal and external threats.
- Gain the knowledge of basic coding to supercharge development skills, which will then be tested in a hands-on practical assessment.
- Receive additional accredited certification in Microsoft Azure Fundamentals
Skills Bootcamp completers of this course will be suitably prepared to interview for a junior-level software developer job.
Potential entry-level software development job roles could include ...
- Junior Software Developer
- Junior Programmer
- Junior Software Engineer
Salary Expectation: £20,000 to £35,000 per year.
Alternatively, this Skills Bootcamp programme is the perfect foundation for a Software Developer apprenticeship.
See full course content for Software Development Skills Bootcamp
2) Cyber Security Technician Skills Bootcamp
This course is ideal for those who wish to increase their knowledge and improve their cyber security skills to support them in entering a new role or securing additional business.
- Learn techniques that help keep digital networks, data, computer software and other components safe from unauthorised digital access.
- Gain an insight into current information and security technological practices.
- Understand cyber security measures and protections and become prepared for the real-world cyber security employment market.
- Receive additional accredited certification in CompTIA IT Fundamentals (ITF+)
Skills Bootcamp completers of this course will be suitably prepared to interview for an entry-level cyber security job.
Potential entry-level cyber security job roles could include ...
- 1st Line Support Technician (£15,000 – £25,000 per year)
- Service Desk Advisor (£21,000 - £26,000 per year)
- Infrastructure Technician (£25,000 – £30,000 per year)
- Junior Cyber Analyst (£25,000 – £35,000 per year)
- Junior Security Analyst (£25,000 – £35,000 per year)
Alternatively, this Skills Bootcamp programme is the perfect foundation for a cyber security apprenticeship.
See full course content for Cyber Security Technician Skills Bootcamp
3) Data Analyst Skills Bootcamp
This course is ideal for those who wish to increase their knowledge and improve their data analysis skills to support them in entering a new role or securing additional business.
- Understand the day-to-day role of a Data Analyst role including how to store and manage data.
- Explore current data protection legislation and understand what constitutes ethical use.
- Learn different ways that data can be visualised and modelled. Receive additional accredited certification in Exam Microsoft Office-200: Microsoft Excel (Office 2019)
Skills Bootcamp completers of this course will be suitably prepared to interview for a Junior Data Analyst job.
Other entry-level data analysis vacancies could include ...
- Python Programmer (£22,500 - £30,000 per year)
- Data Entry (£22,923 - £23,301 per year)
- Data Administrator (£24,099 - £28,462 per year)
- Excel Administrator (£25,644 - £25,945 per year)
- Data Analyst (£25,000 - £35,500 per year)
- Data Scientist (£25,000 - £40,000 per year)
- Database Administrator (£30,000 - £45,000 per year)
Alternatively, this Skills Bootcamp programme is the perfect foundation for a data analyst apprenticeship.
See full course content for Data Analyst Skills Bootcamp
4) Digital Marketing Skills Bootcamp
This course is ideal for those who wish to increase their knowledge and improve their digital marketing skills to support them in entering a new role or securing additional business.
- Understand the role of a digital marketer and how the role differs to traditional marketing.
- Explore digital marketing fundamentals such as SEO and the tools and techniques available in order to drive traffic towards a business.
- Understand all major digital marketing platforms.
- Receive additional accredited certification in Google Fundamentals of Digital Marketing
Skills Bootcamp completers of this course will be suitably prepared to interview for an entry-level digital marketing job.
Potential entry-level digital marketing job roles could include...
- Marketing Assistant (£20,000 - £24,000 per year)
Below are examples of roles and approximate expected salaries that an entry-level role could lead on to:
- Copywriter (£24,000 – £34,000 per year)
- SEO / PPC Manager (£24,000 – £34,000 per year)
- Social Media Manager (£24,000 – £36,000 per year)
- Marketing Executive (£26,000 – £36,000 per year)
- Digital Marketers (£26,000 – £36,000 per year)
- Marketing Manager (£28,000 – £48,000 per year)
Alternatively, this Skills Bootcamp programme is the perfect foundation for a digital marketing apprenticeship.
See full course content for Digital Marketing Skills Bootcamp
5) IT Infrastructure Skills Bootcamp
This course is ideal for those who wish to increase their knowledge and improve their IT infrastructure skills to support them in entering a new role or securing additional business.
- Explore networking principles- including mobile and operating systems and architecture.
- Explore various coding practices and languages as well as web page development.
- Understand real-life business processes and IT service management. Receive additional accredited certification in Cisco- Networking Basics
Skills Bootcamp completers of this course will be suitably prepared to interview for an entry-level IT Infrastructure Engineer job.
Potential entry-level IT infrastructure job roles could include...
- Service Desk Advisor (£21,000 - £26,000 per year)
- Service Desk Analyst (£22,000 - £27,000 per year)
- Junior Software Developer (£24,000 - £33,000 per year)
- Infrastructure Technician (£25,000 – £30,000 per year)
- 2nd Line Support Technician (£25,000 – £30,000 per year)
- Technical Coordinator (£26,000 – £35,000 per year)
- Junior Cloud Engineer (£28,000 – £35,000 per year)
Please note: The upper end of the salary scale is typically for larger companies whereas the lower end is typically for small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
Alternatively, this Skills Bootcamp programme is the perfect foundation for an IT Infrastructure Technician apprenticeship.
See full course content for IT Infrastructure Skills Bootcamp
6) Technical Service Desk Skills Bootcamp
This course is ideal for those who wish to increase their knowledge and improve their IT service desk skills to support them in entering a new role or securing additional business.
- Gain insight into the different types of CRM and work management tools.
- Understand and analyse end-user application behaviours and provide local and remote support for external users.
- Identify the fundamentals of security, networks and software functionality.
- Receive additional accredited certification in Cisco- Internet of Things and Digital Transformation
Skills Bootcamp completers of this course will be suitably prepared to interview for an entry-level IT service desk job.
Potential entry-level IT service desk job roles could include...
- IT Support Advisor (£21,000 – £25,000 per year)
- Service Desk Advisor (£21,000 - £26,000 per year)
- Service Desk Analyst (£22,000 - £27,000 per year)
- IT Support Technician (£23,000 – £28,000 per year)
- 2nd Line Support Technician (£25,000 – £30,000 per year)
Please note: The upper end of the salary scale is typically for larger companies whereas the lower end is typically for small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
Alternatively, this Skills Bootcamp programme is the perfect foundation for an IT service desk apprenticeship.
See full course content for Technical Service Desk Skills Bootcamp
Put Your Learning Into Action During Industry Project Week
During week 13 of our 14-week Skills Bootcamps, learners will work in small teams to solve real-world business problems that are custom-designed by potential employers.
Each team will pitch their unique solution to the employers in a "Dragon's Den" style presentation.
This is an incredibly enriching and essential part of the Skills Bootcamp course and will enable learners to demonstrate crucial skills that employers look for such as:
- Problem-solving skills
- Presenting skills
- Teamworking skills
- Self-reflection skills
Skills Bootcamp Eligibility Criteria
Skills Bootcamps are for:
- Adults aged 19 or over as of the 31st of August 2023
- Adults who are employed and looking to move into a new sector and start an entry-level role
- Adults who are employed and have their employer's co-funding support to progress within the company
- Adults who are self-employed and looking to grow their business
- Adults who have been unemployed for less than 12 months
- Adults who are returning to work after a break and are looking to get started with an entry-level job in a new sector
- Adults who are looking to build upon a Skills Bootcamp by completing an apprenticeship in their chosen topic
- Adults who have lived in England for at least the last 3 consecutive years, and have the right to work in the United Kingdom*
- Adults who are not currently undertaking any formal education, including another Skills Bootcamp
- Adults who have a reliable internet connection, a laptop or computer with a camera and microphone and access to Microsoft Office
- Adults who are able to commit and attend 100% of live sessions as per the course requirements they are choosing to enrol on
* Eligibility exceptions are in place for Ukrainian or Afghan nationals
Because our Skills Bootcamps are of Level 3 standard in England, our learners will be expected to have some existing knowledge and skills within the subject area or job role that they are applying for.
It is also expected that all Skills Bootcamps learners are competent in using Microsoft software and basic computer literacy.
By enrolling on a Skills Bootcamp, you are well on your way to pursuing a new career or progressing in your current role.
Government funding for Skills Bootcamps is being directed towards the sectors where there is a current skills shortage. So you can rest easy knowing that the training provided by The Skills Network is aligned with the current and future needs of the labour market.
What are you waiting for?
Are you an employer looking to upskill your staff or fill a skills gap with our Skills Bootcamps candidates at no cost?
Register your interest in Skills Bootcamps for staff training