London Talent Pathways: Free training for freelancers and micro business owners
This programme is proudly supported and funded by the
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Freelancing gives you freedom, but building a successful freelance business takes more than being good at what you do.
You need to know how to market yourself, find and understand your ideal clients, manage your money, use digital tools effectively and, increasingly, know how to use AI to save time and improve the quality of your work.
This practical programme gives you the business, digital and AI skills to take your freelance career to the next level. You’ll develop practical digital and IT skills that you can apply directly to your day-to-day work, helping you work more efficiently, improve your services and grow your business.
You’ll also gain an accredited Level 2 qualification in Digital and IT skills, giving you a recognised qualification alongside practical experience you can use in your business.
And the best part? The programme is fully funded by the Greater London Authority as part of London Talent Pathways [LTP], so it’s completely free for eligible Londoners.
The programme combines business, digital and AI skills that will help you develop real-world skills and build an assessed portfolio.
Understand how to shape your freelance offer, set clear goals and build a sustainable business around the way you want to work.
Learn how to identify opportunities, communicate your value, build strong relationships and turn prospects into paying clients.
Discover how effective marketing can help you reach the right audience, build awareness and create a steady flow of opportunities.
Create a distinctive, credible brand that communicates who you are, what you do and why clients should choose you.
Understand how AI and new technologies are changing freelance work, and develop the confidence to use them effectively and responsibly.
Learn how to price your services, manage your money, track income and expenses and make confident financial decisions.
Understand your tax responsibilities as a freelancer, from keeping records and claiming expenses to preparing for digital tax requirements.
Build the practical digital skills and security awareness you need to work efficiently, protect your information and operate professionally online.
This programmes isn’t about sitting through hours of online lessons and trying to figure it all out on your own. You’ll learn through practical projects, peer groups, hands-on activities and guidance from people with real industry experience. You’ll have space to try things out, share ideas, get feedback and learn from other freelancers — making the experience practical, social and, most importantly, useful for your own work.
To successfully complete the programme, you’ll need to attend at least 90% of scheduled sessions, complete the required portfolio work and act on feedback from your tutors.
Build the skills and knowledge to grow your freelance business with confidence.
Know how to position your business, communicate what makes you different and reach the right clients.
Learn practical ways to generate, nurture and convert new business opportunities.
Build a repeatable approach to managing prospects, pitching your services and turning opportunities into clients.
Discover how to use AI and digital tools to streamline your work, improve your marketing and sales, and create efficiencies across your business.
Bring everything together into a practical approach for growing your freelance business with greater clarity and confidence.
We will work with you to build your skills, strengthen your offer and find new opportunities, but we also expect you to fully commit to the programme and be proactive about putting what you learn into practice — including actively looking for clients and paid work to grow your freelance career.
We're proud of all the creative professionals, from every walk of life, who have been through one of our career accelerators since 2015. With our new government-funded programmes, we want to continue this commitment to finding diverse voices and original talent who've been shut out for too long. Outsiders, misfits and changemakers need apply.
"I am INCREDIBLY grateful to the Mastered team. The sessions were so well organised, I am now no longer intimidated by AI, and I have a hundred tools in my belt - ready to go."
Shireen
"Exactly what I needed to take my business to the next level. The in-person sessions were amazing, while the weekly Zoom lessons were really insightful and got me thinking about my business in new ways."
Sam"Learnt so much. Really well organised, interesting and well thought through. The trainers were all excellent, as was my mentor. The calibre and commitment of the peers on the course were excellent. Really beneficial."
Leanne
You will not be eligible if you are on a Student, Graduate, Skilled Worker, Seasonal Worker or Tourist visa, or if you have achieved similar qualification/s before.
Final eligibility and IDs will be checked during the admissions process.
We want to make sure the programme is the right fit for you and that you are eligible for the funding.
Our admissions process is designed to be straightforward, with support from our team at every stage.
First, check that you meet the eligibility criteria and submit your application. You’ll be asked for some basic information about your freelance career, your experience and what you’re hoping to achieve.
If you meet the initial eligibility criteria, we will invite you to a short video call. This is an opportunity for us to learn more about your goals and make sure the programme objectives align with what you want to achieve in your freelance career. You will also have the chance to ask any questions you have about the programme.
Before you can enrol, we will check the documents needed to confirm your eligibility for the funded programme. This will include checking your identity, residency and other funding requirements.
Once your eligibility has been confirmed and your place is secured, you will be ready to start the programme and begin building your business, digital and AI skills.
If, at any stage, you are not able to move forward with enrolment in this programme, our team will help connect you to relevant resources and other opportunities where we can.
London Talent Pathways (LTP) is a Mayor of London programme, managed by the Greater London Authority (GLA), that connects vocational training with opportunities to enter work or progress in a career. It helps Londoners develop skills for occupations that employers need, with support to overcome barriers along the way.
This programme is delivered by Mastered and funded by the Mayor of London through the Adult Skills Fund (ASF) as part of the London Talent Pathways programme, so eligible learners do not pay course fees.
Funding eligibility criteria apply and will be checked before you enrol.
No.
The programme is designed for both existing freelancers and people who want to move from part-time or full-time roles to freelancing.
You should, however, have a clear idea of what business you want to pursue in your freelance career.
Yes, the Greater London Authority [GLA] funding rules require eligible learners to meet the relevant London residency requirements at the start of their learning.
We will check this during the application process.
The programme will run over 10 months, split into two phases.
Phase 1 — 16 weeks
During the first 16 weeks, you will:
Phase 2 — 6 months
During the following six months, you will:
There are four main steps. First, you’ll check your eligibility and submit some basic information about your freelance career. If you’re eligible, you’ll be invited to a video call with our admissions team to discuss your goals and make sure the programme is a good fit. We’ll then check the documents needed to confirm your eligibility before you enrol. Once everything is confirmed, you can start the programme.
If you’re unable to move forward at any stage, our team will signpost you to relevant resources and other opportunities where possible.
Yes, you will receive an accredited Level 2 certificate, subject to successfully completing the course units and meeting all qualification requirements.
Yes.
AI is a core part of the programme. You will learn practical ways to use AI for research, planning, content creation and productivity, alongside responsible and effective use of AI.
The next cohort is starting on Oct 26, 2026. The application deadline is Oct 22, 2026.
From January 2027, we will have a cohort starting every month.
Please email us at admissions@mastered.com, and a member of our team will get back to you.