If you’re looking for free government-funded coaching courses for aspiring life coaches or as an individual, we’ve got good news.

There’s a growing landscape of publicly funded coaching and guidance training across countries.

We’ve scoured official portals, educational platforms, state scholarships, and other verified sources to bring you this list of 21 free government-funded life coaching courses.

What Is a Government‑Funded Life Coaching Course?

Government-funded coaching programs are training or support services paid for by public agencies—like local governments, national job centers, or public education systems. They’re designed to make coaching more accessible to people from all walks of life, often focusing on career support, mental wellness, or leadership.

21 Funded Coaching Programs Worldwide

Here are some of the life coaching programs and coaching-adjacent initiatives fully funded by different governments across the globe.

1. California Wellness Coach Scholarship Program (USA)

This scholarship is up to $35,000 and covers full wellness coach certification programs. It’s designed to increase access to coaching careers while meeting California’s mental health workforce needs.

• Duration: Program length + 12-month service
• Eligibility: California residents in approved community colleges or state schools
• Specialization: Youth wellness and behavioral coaching

2. U.S. CareerOneStop / WIOA Career Coaching (USA)

Local workforce centers offer free career coaching, resume help, and training under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA).

• Duration: Mostly annual programs
• Eligibility: Unemployed, low-income, veterans, youth, disabled
• Specialization: Career readiness, job search navigation

3. Arkansas College & Career Coach Program (USA)

In-school coaching program to prepare students for college and careers through mentorship, goal setting, and transition support.

• Duration: Academic school year
• Eligibility: High school and community college students in Arkansas
• Specialization: College admission, vocational guidance

4. Senior Community Service Employment Program (USA)

A fully funded program offering older adults job-skill training and employment training, including resume development, job search mentoring, and on-the-job learning. 

• Duration: Ongoing, ~20 hours of paid work per week
• Eligibility: U.S. residents aged 55 +, low-income, unemployed, or underemployed
• Specialization: Senior-focused career advice, workplace integration, and job placement support.

5. England Skills Bootcamps (UK)

Government-backed bootcamps offering coaching and practical skills in tech, digital, care, and leadership. Includes interview prep and CV support.

• Duration: 3 to 16 weeks
• Eligibility: Age 19+, right to work in the UK
• Specialization: Career transition, leadership coaching

6. Sector-Based Work Academy Programme (UK)

A short-term, fully funded pathway including pre-employment training, job placements, and interview coaching.

• Duration: Up to 6 weeks
• Eligibility: Job seekers receiving benefits
• Specialization: Employability coaching, workplace readiness

7. King’s Trust – Team Programme (UK)

This is a 12-week transformational experience combining personal coaching, team challenges, and leadership workshops for youth.

• Duration: 12 weeks
• Eligibility: Ages 16–25, not in education/employment
• Specialization: Confidence-building, personal development

8. King’s Trust – Get Started / Enterprise (UK)

This is a business mentoring and startup coaching initiative with potential grant support (up to £30,000) for young entrepreneurs.

• Duration: Multi-month
• Eligibility: Ages 18–30
• Specialization: Entrepreneurial coaching

9. England Returnerships (UK)

Programs for midlife career changers with coaching in leadership and career reentry.

• Duration: 3–6 months
• Eligibility: 50+, job seekers
• Specialization: Confidence coaching, digital skills

10. Gen2 / Pro-Development Bootcamps (UK)

These are publicly-funded leadership and career bootcamps with 70+ hours of live coaching.

• Duration: Up to 16 weeks
• Eligibility: UK adults 19+
• Specialization: Coaching, communication, management

11. Multiply Numeracy Coaching (England, UK)

Numeracy course with embedded coaching for adults who want to upskill and gain confidence.

• Duration: Course-dependent
• Eligibility: Adults 19+
• Specialization: Confidence coaching via numeracy

12. Workforce Employability Coaching (Australia)

The Australian Government partners with job providers to deliver coaching in job search competence, communication, and professional behavior.

• Duration: Modular (short to medium term)
• Eligibility: Welfare recipients under mutual obligation
• Specialization: Soft-skill coaching, resume prep

13. NSW Workplace Mental Health Coaching (Australia)

A public initiative by the government of New South Wales to provide free coaching to business leaders and managers—covering stress, conflict, mental health policies, and culture-building.

• Duration: Up to 4 hours of coaching per business
• Eligibility: Owners, managers, or leaders of businesses or not-for-profits in NSW
• Specialization: Workplace stress coping, conflict resolution, and staff well-being

14. SWAYAM – BPCE-145 Counselling Psychology (India)

This is a government-run massive open online course (MOOC) on counseling psychology. It’s a great foundation for life or wellness coaches in India.

• Duration: 16 weeks
• Eligibility: Global learners
• Specialization: Counselling theory, ethics, techniques

15. IFS Skillnet – Inspire Diversity Career Coaching Pilot (Ireland)

This program offers personalized career coaching to junior and mid-career professionals within the International Financial Services sector. It focuses on leadership development for underrepresented groups.

• Duration: Up to 12 weeks
• Eligibility: Individuals working in diverse companies and industries
• Specialization: Career guidance and leadership enhancement

16. WSG Career Matching & Guidance (Singapore)

While not entirely government-funded, Workforce Singapore (WSG) is supported by up to 70% public funding, enabling it to offer free career coaching and training to citizens and permanent residents, including a generous monthly allowance ranging from $1,800 to $3,800.

• Duration: Ongoing and personalized depending on individual needs
• Eligibility: Citizens or permanent residents who are job seekers or career switchers
• Specialization: Career transition, résumé optimization, and job search strategy

17. Bundesagentur für Arbeit Coaching (Germany)

Germany’s national employment agency provides personal coaching to citizens navigating career transitions.

• Duration: As long as needed
• Eligibility: All residents
• Specialization: Career strategy, re-entry

18. Career Advice Services (New Zealand)

One-on-one career support for CV, interviews, and goal planning for jobseekers.

• Duration: Ongoing
• Eligibility: Jobseekers in NZ
• Specialization: Personalized career guidance

19. Career Coaching In Residence Program (Canada)

Virtual career coaching for military spouses/partners, offering one-on-one support to navigate career transitions, development, and job searches. Includes access to digital tools and self-directed learning.

• Duration: Up to 5 virtual coaching sessions + access to digital learning lab
• Eligibility: Spouses/partners of Canadian Armed Forces members (Regular Force and Reserves)
• Specialization: Career transition support tailored to military lifestyle, including relocations and deployments

20. WAGE Mentorship Program (Canada)

This is a mentorship and leadership coaching community focused on gender equity in sport, pairing women coaches with senior mentors in sport organizations.

• Duration: 2‑day in-person kickoff + monthly virtual meetings
• Eligibility: Self-identified women, non-binary sports coaches in Canada
• Specialization: Leadership coaching, peer support, equity in sport

21. British Columbia Public Service Coaching Services (Canada)

This is an in-house coaching program deployed across the BC Public Service. It supports leadership, organizational development, and indigenous leaders.

• Duration: Ongoing, as needed
• Eligibility: BC Public Service employees
• Specialization: Executive leadership, career progression coaching

Start Your Coaching Journey

Getting coaching support or becoming a life coach yourself doesn’t have to cost an arm and a leg or require a pricey certification. It can be free with government-funded life coaching courses in your area.

And once you’re trained up and ready to start working with clients? You’ll want a platform that makes the business side of coaching as smooth as your sessions.

That’s where Paperbell comes in. It’s an all-in-one tool for coaches that simplifies admin tasks, payments, and client management, amongst other things. Try Paperbell for free today.