Build skills with guided exercises, source links, and planning tools.
Workforce Foundations · always free
A practical restart
for work, learning,
and what comes next.
The Life Starter helps unemployed, underemployed, returning, and career-changing learners build the skills and evidence to take a useful next step.
The workforce program and learner accounts are for ages 14+, with no upper age limit. The courses are educational, always free, and available without a job, school, or location requirement.
A useful place to begin
Whether work is the goal—or the next bridge.
You might be between jobs, working fewer hours than you want, returning after time away, changing careers, preparing for training, or trying to make your first work system feel less overwhelming.
Pick one lane, complete the short checks, and leave with something you can use: a plan, a practice file, a question script, or a verified opportunity shortlist.
Choose your starting laneLearn the part
Learn the part
that moves you forward.
Start with foundational skills, then build toward more advanced practice. Each course explains what to prepare and the useful work you’ll make. Take one course or work through the full set.
01 · Employability
Show up ready for the work.
Practice the everyday communication, reliability, feedback, and problem-solving habits that help people start strong and keep growing.
WorkBeginner
Guided practice + projectWork Ready: Communication and Professionalism
Practice the everyday communication, teamwork, reliability, and problem-solving habits that help a person start strong without pretending one style fits every workplace.
Workplace communicationTeamworkReliability
Ready when you areOpen course
WorkBeginner
Guided practice + projectKeep the Job: Your First 90 Days
Turn a new job or placement into a manageable first 90 days with clear expectations, early wins, feedback, safety awareness, and a growth plan.
OnboardingPrioritizationFeedback
Ready when you areOpen course
02 · Digital literacy
Work confidently online.
Build the baseline digital fluency needed for email, files, shared documents, online forms, meetings, and safer information handling.
DigitalBeginner
Guided practice + projectDigital Basics for Work and School
Practice computer controls, web browsing, email, files, online forms, and simple fixes for work and school.
Computer basicsBrowser fluencyEmail
Ready when you areOpen course
DigitalBeginner
Guided practice + projectWork Online: Email, Documents, Calendars, and Meetings
Practice email, shared documents, calendars, and video meetings. Learn to pass work to others, choose sharing permissions, and help everyone take part across different apps.
Email threadsShared documentsCalendars
Ready when you areOpen course
DigitalBeginner
Guided practice + projectSearch, Verify, and Submit Information Online
Find trustworthy job and training information, preserve sources and deadlines, complete online submissions, and protect your privacy while doing it.
Search strategySource evaluationApplication workflow
Ready when you areOpen course
03 · Academic prep
Get ready to keep learning.
Strengthen the reading, writing, study, practical math, and data habits you can use at work and in training.
WorkBeginner
Guided practice + projectRead, Write, and Study for Work and Training
Strengthen the reading, note-taking, source-based writing, study, tutoring, and testing habits that support work and further learning.
Strategic readingNote-takingClear writing
Ready when you areOpen course
WorkBeginner
Guided practice + projectPractical Math and Data for Work and Training
Use estimation, percentages, ratios, wages, schedules, measurements, charts, and formulas to make everyday work and training decisions.
EstimationRates and percentagesSchedules
Ready when you areOpen course
04 · Pathway navigation
Find a path that leads somewhere.
Compare training, public workforce support, apprenticeships, and work-based learning with current information and a backup plan.
WorkBeginner
Guided practice + projectFind Training That Leads Somewhere
Verify a specific training provider before you commit time or money: compare adult education, certificates, licenses, college, apprenticeships, and short-term programs by outcome, evidence, time, cost, and support.
Training researchOutcome verificationProgram comparison
Ready when you areOpen course
WorkBeginner
Guided practice + projectUse the Workforce System: Job Centers and Support
Learn how American Job Centers and public workforce partners may help with job search, training, assessment, and practical support—then build a local contact plan.
Resource navigationIntake preparationSupport mapping
Ready when you areOpen course
WorkBeginner
Guided practice + projectRegistered Apprenticeships and Work-Based Learning
Compare apprenticeships, pre-apprenticeships, internships, and other work-based learning, then search, verify, and apply with care.
Opportunity searchSponsor verificationApplication planning
Ready when you areOpen course
Put your learning to workBuild useful skills.
Build useful skills.
Prepare your next move.
Leave with plans, practice files, and opportunity comparisons you can keep improving.
Confirm current program availability, pay, eligibility, and deadlines with the linked official source or a qualified local contact before acting.
Always free · start anytime
Take one useful step today.
Create an account to save quizzes, projects, and progress across devices. You can browse the complete library without signing in.
Build your own evidence.
Compare financial products, test a business concept, research occupations, plan training, or lead a small project.
Open the project workspace For workforce organizations