Home > Personal Learning Account
PERSONAL LEARNING ACCOUNT (PLA)
PLA
Discover the courses we have to offer below
Discover free* and flexible courses across a range of subject areas at Coleg Cambria designed to help you progress or change your career.
*If you’re over 19 years old and living in Wales, in employment earning under £29,534 a year, or your job is at risk, a Personal Learning Account (PLA) is a great way to access part-time study on specific courses.
What is a Personal Learning Account?
A PLA allows you to study flexible, part-time courses around your existing life and commitments. It enables you to obtain the skills and qualifications you need to switch careers and embark on a new pathway.
PLAs provide flexible and fully-funded learning, both online and face-to-face.
You’ll be able to get new skills and qualifications that local employers need to help you progress your current career or change it altogether.
All of the courses on offer are being funded by the Welsh Government. You can see the full list of PLA courses at Coleg Cambria below.
For More Information and to Check Your Eligibility
Beauty Services
What courses are available
Cisco
What courses are availableCisco Cyber Security Introduction & Cyber Security Essentials
- 12/09/2023
- Deeside
Cisco Cyber Security Introduction & Cyber Security Essentials
- 10/04/2024
- Deeside
Cisco IT Essentials v8.0
- 13/09/2023
- Yale
Cisco IT Essentials v8.0
- 21/02/2024
- Yale
Cisco Networking - CCNA Version7 ITN & SRWE - Year 1
- 13/09/2023
- Yale
Cisco Networking - SRWE Part 2 and ENSA - Year 2
- 14/09/2023
- Yale
Cisco Cyber Security Introduction & Cyber Security Essentials
- 12/09/2023
- Deeside
Cisco Cyber Security Introduction & Cyber Security Essentials
- 10/04/2024
- Deeside
Cisco IT Essentials v8.0
- 13/09/2023
- Yale
Cisco IT Essentials v8.0
- 21/02/2024
- Yale
Cisco Networking - CCNA Version7 ITN & SRWE - Year 1
- 13/09/2023
- Yale
Cisco Networking - SRWE Part 2 and ENSA - Year 2
- 14/09/2023
- Yale
Coding
Construction
What courses are availableIntroduction to Carpentry and Joinery - Term 3
- 11/04/2024
- Deeside
Introduction to Plumbing - Term 3
- 11/04/2024
- Deeside
C&G L3 Award in Requirements for Electrical Installation 18th Edition (Block) (2382-22)
- 01/08/2023
- Bersham Road
C&G Level 3 Award in the In-Service Inspect & Test of Electrical Equipment (PAT) (2377-77)
- Roll On, Roll Off
- Bersham Road
Introduction to Carpentry and Joinery - Term 3
- 11/04/2024
- Deeside
Introduction to Plumbing - Term 3
- 11/04/2024
- Deeside
C&G L3 Award in Requirements for Electrical Installation 18th Edition (Block) (2382-22)
- 01/08/2023
- Bersham Road
C&G Level 3 Award in the In-Service Inspect & Test of Electrical Equipment (PAT) (2377-77)
- Roll On, Roll Off
- Bersham Road
Digital Technologies
What courses are availableDigital Leadership Academy
- 15/09/2023
- Deeside
HNC Computing - Kickstart Your Digital Career - PLA
- 18/09/2023
- Yale
Introduction to Web Design
- 14/06/2023
- Online
GDPR Essentials
- 17/10/2023
- Yale
GDPR Essentials
- 30/01/2024
- Yale
Introduction to Cybersecurity - Internet Safety and Security
- 17/10/2023
- Yale
Introduction to DIY Property Maintenance - Term 3
- 17/04/2024
- Deeside
Introduction to Photoshop Creative Cloud
- 26/10/2023
- Yale
Introduction to Photoshop Creative Cloud
- 08/02/2024
- Yale
Introduction to Photoshop Creative Cloud
- 23/05/2024
- Yale
PowerPoint Essentials
- 16/11/2023
- Yale
PowerPoint Essentials
- 29/02/2024
- Yale
Web Design and Development
- 18/04/2023
- Yale
Access Essentials
- 30/11/2023
- Yale
Access Essentials
- 14/03/2024
- Yale
Access Essentials
- 27/06/2024
- Yale
Introduction to Cybersecurity - Internet Safety and Security
- 30/01/2024
- Yale
Web Design and Development
- 10/01/2024
- Deeside
Amazon Web Services (AWS) Academy Cloud Foundations
- 15/09/2023
- Deeside
Amazon Web Services (AWS) Academy Cloud Foundations
- 08/01/2024
- Deeside
Computer Game Creation using Unreal Engine 5
- 10/01/2024
- Yale
Power BI Essentials
- 03/10/2023
- Yale
Power BI Essentials
- 16/01/2024
- Yale
Power BI Essentials
- 30/04/2024
- Yale
Digital Leadership Academy
- 15/09/2023
- Deeside
HNC Computing - Kickstart Your Digital Career - PLA
- 18/09/2023
- Yale
Introduction to Web Design
- 14/06/2023
- Online
GDPR Essentials
- 17/10/2023
- Yale
GDPR Essentials
- 30/01/2024
- Yale
Introduction to Cybersecurity - Internet Safety and Security
- 17/10/2023
- Yale
Introduction to DIY Property Maintenance - Term 3
- 17/04/2024
- Deeside
Introduction to Photoshop Creative Cloud
- 26/10/2023
- Yale
Introduction to Photoshop Creative Cloud
- 08/02/2024
- Yale
Introduction to Photoshop Creative Cloud
- 23/05/2024
- Yale
PowerPoint Essentials
- 16/11/2023
- Yale
PowerPoint Essentials
- 29/02/2024
- Yale
Web Design and Development
- 18/04/2023
- Yale
Access Essentials
- 30/11/2023
- Yale
Access Essentials
- 14/03/2024
- Yale
Access Essentials
- 27/06/2024
- Yale
Introduction to Cybersecurity - Internet Safety and Security
- 30/01/2024
- Yale
Web Design and Development
- 10/01/2024
- Deeside
Amazon Web Services (AWS) Academy Cloud Foundations
- 15/09/2023
- Deeside
Amazon Web Services (AWS) Academy Cloud Foundations
- 08/01/2024
- Deeside
Computer Game Creation using Unreal Engine 5
- 10/01/2024
- Yale
Power BI Essentials
- 03/10/2023
- Yale
Power BI Essentials
- 16/01/2024
- Yale
Power BI Essentials
- 30/04/2024
- Yale
ECDL
What courses are availableBCS Level 1 ECDL Award in IT User Skills
- Roll On, Roll Off
- Yale
BCS Level 1 ECDL Award in IT User Skills (Flexiqual)
- Roll On, Roll Off
- Deeside
BCS Level 2 Certificate in IT User Skills (ECDL Extra)
- Roll On, Roll Off
- Deeside
BCS Level 2 ECDL Certificate in IT User Skills
- Roll On, Roll Off
- Yale
ECDL Advanced - Spreadsheets Single Unit
- Roll On, Roll Off
- Yale
ECDL Advanced - Spreadsheets Single Unit
- Roll On, Roll Off
- Deeside
ECDL Advanced - Database Single Unit
- Roll On, Roll Off
- Yale
ECDL Advanced - Database Single Unit
- Roll On, Roll Off
- Deeside
ECDL Advanced - Improving Productivity - Single Unit
- Roll On, Roll Off
- Yale
ECDL Advanced - Improving Productivity Single Unit
- Roll On, Roll Off
- Deeside
ECDL Advanced - Presentations Single Unit
- Roll On, Roll Off
- Yale
ECDL Advanced - Presentations Single Unit
- Roll On, Roll Off
- Deeside
ECDL Advanced - Word Processing Single Unit
- Roll On, Roll Off
- Yale
ECDL Advanced - Word Processing Single Unit
- Roll On, Roll Off
- Deeside
BCS Level 1 ECDL Award in IT User Skills
- Roll On, Roll Off
- Yale
BCS Level 1 ECDL Award in IT User Skills (Flexiqual)
- Roll On, Roll Off
- Deeside
BCS Level 2 Certificate in IT User Skills (ECDL Extra)
- Roll On, Roll Off
- Deeside
BCS Level 2 ECDL Certificate in IT User Skills
- Roll On, Roll Off
- Yale
ECDL Advanced - Spreadsheets Single Unit
- Roll On, Roll Off
- Yale
ECDL Advanced - Spreadsheets Single Unit
- Roll On, Roll Off
- Deeside
ECDL Advanced - Database Single Unit
- Roll On, Roll Off
- Yale
ECDL Advanced - Database Single Unit
- Roll On, Roll Off
- Deeside
ECDL Advanced - Improving Productivity - Single Unit
- Roll On, Roll Off
- Yale
ECDL Advanced - Improving Productivity Single Unit
- Roll On, Roll Off
- Deeside
ECDL Advanced - Presentations Single Unit
- Roll On, Roll Off
- Yale
ECDL Advanced - Presentations Single Unit
- Roll On, Roll Off
- Deeside
ECDL Advanced - Word Processing Single Unit
- Roll On, Roll Off
- Yale
ECDL Advanced - Word Processing Single Unit
- Roll On, Roll Off
- Deeside
Education & Training
What courses are availableCG 7300 Introduction to Trainer Skills
- 04/06/2024
- Northop
City & Guilds Level 3 Award in Education and Training (QCF)
- 08/01/2024
- Northop
City & Guilds Level 3 Award in Education and Training (QCF)
- 22/04/2024
- Northop
City & Guilds Level 3 Award in Education and Training (QCF)
- 12/09/2023
- Yale
City & Guilds Level 3 Award in Education and Training (QCF)
- 22/04/2024
- Yale
CG 7300 Introduction to Trainer Skills
- 04/06/2024
- Northop
City & Guilds Level 3 Award in Education and Training (QCF)
- 08/01/2024
- Northop
City & Guilds Level 3 Award in Education and Training (QCF)
- 22/04/2024
- Northop
City & Guilds Level 3 Award in Education and Training (QCF)
- 12/09/2023
- Yale
City & Guilds Level 3 Award in Education and Training (QCF)
- 22/04/2024
- Yale
Engineering
Environmental
Excel
What courses are availableExcel Advanced
- 22/06/2023
- Yale
Excel Essentials
- 14/09/2023
- Yale
Excel Essentials
- 07/11/2023
- Yale
Excel Essentials
- 14/12/2023
- Yale
Excel Essentials
- 20/02/2024
- Yale
Excel Essentials
- 11/04/2024
- Yale
Excel Essentials
- 14/05/2024
- Yale
Excel Extra
- 08/06/2023
- Yale
Excel Extra
- 28/09/2023
- Yale
Excel Extra
- 21/11/2023
- Yale
Excel Extra
- 11/01/2024
- Yale
Excel Extra
- 05/03/2024
- Yale
Excel Extra
- 25/04/2024
- Yale
Excel Extra
- 04/06/2024
- Yale
Excel Advanced
- 12/10/2023
- Yale
Excel Advanced
- 05/12/2023
- Yale
Excel Advanced
- 25/01/2024
- Yale
Excel Advanced
- 19/03/2024
- Yale
Excel Advanced
- 09/05/2024
- Yale
Excel Advanced
- 13/06/2024
- Yale
Excel Advanced
- 22/06/2023
- Yale
Excel Essentials
- 14/09/2023
- Yale
Excel Essentials
- 07/11/2023
- Yale
Excel Essentials
- 14/12/2023
- Yale
Excel Essentials
- 20/02/2024
- Yale
Excel Essentials
- 11/04/2024
- Yale
Excel Essentials
- 14/05/2024
- Yale
Excel Extra
- 08/06/2023
- Yale
Excel Extra
- 28/09/2023
- Yale
Excel Extra
- 21/11/2023
- Yale
Excel Extra
- 11/01/2024
- Yale
Excel Extra
- 05/03/2024
- Yale
Excel Extra
- 25/04/2024
- Yale
Excel Extra
- 04/06/2024
- Yale
Excel Advanced
- 12/10/2023
- Yale
Excel Advanced
- 05/12/2023
- Yale
Excel Advanced
- 25/01/2024
- Yale
Excel Advanced
- 19/03/2024
- Yale
Excel Advanced
- 09/05/2024
- Yale
Excel Advanced
- 13/06/2024
- Yale
First Aid
What courses are availableFirst Aid at Work Annual Refresher
- 28/06/2023
- Northop
First Aid at Work Annual Refresher
- 02/07/2024
- Northop
First Aid at Work Annual Refresher
- 08/02/2024
- Northop
Highfield Level 2 Award in Introduction to First Aid for Mental Health (RQF)
- 10/10/2023
- Northop
Highfield Level 2 Award in Introduction to First Aid for Mental Health (RQF)
- 22/01/2024
- Northop
Highfield Level 2 Award in Introduction to First Aid for Mental Health (RQF)
- 15/04/2024
- Northop
Highfield Level 2 Award in Introduction to First Aid for Mental Health (RQF)
- 12/06/2023
- Northop
Highfield Level 2 Award in Introduction to First Aid for Mental Health (RQF)
- 24/07/2023
- Northop
Highfield Level 2 Award in Introduction to Mental Health Awareness (RQF)
- 14/11/2023
- Northop
Highfield Level 2 Award in Introduction to Mental Health Awareness (RQF)
- 12/02/2024
- Northop
Highfield Level 2 Award in Introduction to Mental Health Awareness (RQF)
- 20/05/2024
- Northop
Highfield Level 2 Award in Introduction to Mental Health Awareness (RQF)
- 10/07/2023
- Northop
First Aid at Work Annual Refresher
- 05/10/2023
- Northop
First Aid at Work Annual Refresher
- 14/12/2023
- Northop
First Aid at Work Annual Refresher
- 28/06/2023
- Northop
First Aid at Work Annual Refresher
- 02/07/2024
- Northop
First Aid at Work Annual Refresher
- 08/02/2024
- Northop
Highfield Level 2 Award in Introduction to First Aid for Mental Health (RQF)
- 10/10/2023
- Northop
Highfield Level 2 Award in Introduction to First Aid for Mental Health (RQF)
- 22/01/2024
- Northop
Highfield Level 2 Award in Introduction to First Aid for Mental Health (RQF)
- 15/04/2024
- Northop
Highfield Level 2 Award in Introduction to First Aid for Mental Health (RQF)
- 12/06/2023
- Northop
Highfield Level 2 Award in Introduction to First Aid for Mental Health (RQF)
- 24/07/2023
- Northop
Highfield Level 2 Award in Introduction to Mental Health Awareness (RQF)
- 14/11/2023
- Northop
Highfield Level 2 Award in Introduction to Mental Health Awareness (RQF)
- 12/02/2024
- Northop
Highfield Level 2 Award in Introduction to Mental Health Awareness (RQF)
- 20/05/2024
- Northop
Highfield Level 2 Award in Introduction to Mental Health Awareness (RQF)
- 10/07/2023
- Northop
First Aid at Work Annual Refresher
- 05/10/2023
- Northop
First Aid at Work Annual Refresher
- 14/12/2023
- Northop
Horticulture & Landscaping
Leadership & Management
What courses are availableILM L5 Diploma in Leadership and Management
- 11/09/2023
- Northop
ILM L5 Diploma in Leadership and Management
- 09/01/2024
- Northop
ILM Level 5 Award in Leadership and Management
- 09/01/2024
- Northop
ILM Level 5 Award in Leadership and Management
- 10/05/2024
- Northop
ILM Level 5 Award in Leadership and Management
- 11/09/2023
- Northop
ILM Level 2 Award in Leadership & Team Skills
- 25/03/2024
- Northop
ILM Level 2 Award in Leadership & Team Skills
- 08/09/2023
- Northop
ILM Level 2 Certificate in Leadership & Team Skills
- 08/09/2023
- Northop
ILM Level 2 Certificate in Leadership & Team Skills
- 16/01/2024
- Northop
ILM Level 2 Certificate in Leadership & Team Skills
- 19/04/2024
- Northop
ILM L5 Diploma in Leadership and Management
- 11/09/2023
- Northop
ILM L5 Diploma in Leadership and Management
- 09/01/2024
- Northop
ILM Level 5 Award in Leadership and Management
- 09/01/2024
- Northop
ILM Level 5 Award in Leadership and Management
- 10/05/2024
- Northop
ILM Level 5 Award in Leadership and Management
- 11/09/2023
- Northop
ILM Level 2 Award in Leadership & Team Skills
- 25/03/2024
- Northop
ILM Level 2 Award in Leadership & Team Skills
- 08/09/2023
- Northop
ILM Level 2 Certificate in Leadership & Team Skills
- 08/09/2023
- Northop
ILM Level 2 Certificate in Leadership & Team Skills
- 16/01/2024
- Northop
ILM Level 2 Certificate in Leadership & Team Skills
- 19/04/2024
- Northop
Mental Health
What courses are available
NEBOSH & IOSH
What courses are availableIOSH Managing Occupational Health and Wellbeing
- 12/07/2023
- Northop
NEBOSH Diploma Unit ND2
- 06/06/2023
- Northop
NEBOSH Environmental Cert
- 27/02/2024
- Northop
NEBOSH Fire & Safety Cert FC1
- 15/03/2024
- Northop
NEBOSH Fire & Safety Cert FC2
- 15/03/2024
- Northop
NEBOSH Management Health Safety NG1
- 30/08/2023
- Northop
NEBOSH Risk Assessment NG2
- 11/10/2023
- Northop
IOSH Managing Safely (3 Day Course)
- 12/09/2023
- Northop
IOSH Managing Safely (3 Day Course)
- 28/02/2024
- Northop
IOSH Managing Safely (3 Day Course)
- 03/10/2023
- Northop
IOSH Managing Safely (3 Day Course)
- 09/07/2024
- Northop
IOSH Managing Safely (3 Day Course)
- 22/11/2023
- Northop
IOSH Managing Safely (3 Day Course)
- 17/04/2024
- Northop
IOSH Managing Safely (3 Day Course)
- 19/06/2024
- Northop
IOSH Working Safely
- 12/10/2023
- Northop
IOSH Working Safely
- 14/12/2023
- Northop
IOSH Working Safely
- 15/07/2024
- Northop
NEBOSH Certificate in Environmental Management
- 27/02/2024
- Northop
NEBOSH Management Health Safety NG1
- 24/04/2024
- Northop
NEBOSH Management Health Safety NG1
- 21/06/2023
- Northop
NEBOSH Risk Assessment NG2
- 10/01/2024
- Northop
IOSH Managing Occupational Health and Wellbeing
- 12/07/2023
- Northop
NEBOSH Diploma Unit ND2
- 06/06/2023
- Northop
NEBOSH Environmental Cert
- 27/02/2024
- Northop
NEBOSH Fire & Safety Cert FC1
- 15/03/2024
- Northop
NEBOSH Fire & Safety Cert FC2
- 15/03/2024
- Northop
NEBOSH Management Health Safety NG1
- 30/08/2023
- Northop
NEBOSH Risk Assessment NG2
- 11/10/2023
- Northop
IOSH Managing Safely (3 Day Course)
- 12/09/2023
- Northop
IOSH Managing Safely (3 Day Course)
- 28/02/2024
- Northop
IOSH Managing Safely (3 Day Course)
- 03/10/2023
- Northop
IOSH Managing Safely (3 Day Course)
- 09/07/2024
- Northop
IOSH Managing Safely (3 Day Course)
- 22/11/2023
- Northop
IOSH Managing Safely (3 Day Course)
- 17/04/2024
- Northop
IOSH Managing Safely (3 Day Course)
- 19/06/2024
- Northop
IOSH Working Safely
- 12/10/2023
- Northop
IOSH Working Safely
- 14/12/2023
- Northop
IOSH Working Safely
- 15/07/2024
- Northop
NEBOSH Certificate in Environmental Management
- 27/02/2024
- Northop
NEBOSH Management Health Safety NG1
- 24/04/2024
- Northop
NEBOSH Management Health Safety NG1
- 21/06/2023
- Northop
NEBOSH Risk Assessment NG2
- 10/01/2024
- Northop
Social Media & Digital Marketing
What courses are availableChartered Institute of Marketing (CIM) Certificate in Professional Digital Marketing
- 11/09/2023
- Northop
Introduction to Social Media and Digital Marketing
- 19/09/2023
- Yale
Introduction to Social Media and Digital Marketing
- 19/12/2023
- Yale
Introduction to Social Media and Digital Marketing
- 16/04/2024
- Yale
Introduction to Social Media and Digital Marketing
- 18/06/2024
- Yale
Social Media and Digital Marketing
- 09/01/2024
- Yale
The Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM) Foundation Certificate in Professional Digital Marketing
- 12/09/2023
- Northop
Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM) Certificate in Professional Digital Marketing
- 11/09/2023
- Northop
Introduction to Social Media and Digital Marketing
- 19/09/2023
- Yale
Introduction to Social Media and Digital Marketing
- 19/12/2023
- Yale
Introduction to Social Media and Digital Marketing
- 16/04/2024
- Yale
Introduction to Social Media and Digital Marketing
- 18/06/2024
- Yale
Social Media and Digital Marketing
- 09/01/2024
- Yale
The Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM) Foundation Certificate in Professional Digital Marketing
- 12/09/2023
- Northop
Sports
Frequently Asked Questions
Your eligibility will be checked when you apply. You must:
- Live in Wales
- Want to gain skills/qualifications in priority sectors
- Be 19 years old or over.
In addition you must meet the following criteria:
- Be employed (including self-employed), earning under the median income (£29,534), or
- A worker on a zero hour contract, or
- Agency staff, or
- At risk of being made redundant, or
- Employed and been negatively impacted by the economy eg the hospitality industry.
People are ineligible (at the point of application) if they are:
- Under the age of 19; 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
- an ineligible overseas national; or
- in receipt of an Assembly Learning Grant or Education Maintenance Allowance; or
- unemployed.
As the programme is aimed at people that would like to change their career then no prior knowledge is needed of the sector. Some of the courses can be accessed with no specific skills or qualifications.
However, you can discuss the course requirements when you have your discussion with a member of the Personal Learning Accounts team from Coleg Cambria.
Coleg Cambria will do its best to meet the needs of everyone when planning the dates and times to run the courses.
We are flexible and will aim to deliver the learning around people’s family and work commitments. Your availability will be discussed during your pre-admission assessment. In addition, a number of online courses are being delivered by the college.
Welsh Government is funding 100% of the course costs.
The course is free and will be 100% funded by the Welsh Government.
However, you will need to pay for your travel and ensure you have sufficient time to be able to commit to attending and completing the course.
Prior to starting the course you will be offered to develop a training plan which will set out the courses / qualifications you can do to help you progress your career in whichever sector you choose.
You can access more than one course, but must finish one course before starting another.
We understand circumstances change. You could apply to start a new course, if you still met the eligibility criteria for the programme. However, if you dropped out of your second course you would not be entitled to future funding through the Personal Learning Account.
Skill shortages within the digital, construction and engineering, health and financial sectors are creating recruitment issues among employers. These courses have been chosen following extensive engagement with employers, stakeholders, representative groups and potential participants to ensure they address the skill shortages within these sectors.
You wouldn’t receive the money directly. The college will be paid directly by Welsh Government.
Any additional costs such as childcare and travel will not be funded.
If you are made redundant during your PLA course then we can work with you to ensure that you maximise funding available to you should you wish to re-train.
Please contact us for more information.
Yes, you will be asked to show your photo ID and proof of earnings before completing a self-declaration form.
Personal Learning Accounts can be accessed by your employer but eligibility criteria does apply and can be discussed on application.
The college is flexible and will aim to deliver the learning around your family and work commitments; your availability will be discussed during your pre-admission assessment.
You will need to arrange your own time to study your qualification. You could learn in a classroom environment or online class on a certain day of the week.
Due to the ongoing impact of Covid-19, courses will be delivered in-line with current government regulations.
We’d be very interested to hear your personal story about how a PLA has helped you to change career and realise your aspirations. These questions will be part of your learning plan.
Yes they are open to anyone who meets all other eligibility criteria.