How Training Providers Can Fill Funded Cohorts Without Burning Budget
Lessons from filling Level 3–7 and Skills Bootcamp cohorts, from eligibility-first ads to CRM nurture timed around intake dates.
Marketing funded courses is different. You’re not just selling. You’re finding people who are eligible, motivated and available for a specific start date.
1. Lead with eligibility, not the course
Broad “free course!” ads bring volume, but most of it can’t enrol. Put the eligibility criteria in the creative and the form. Fewer leads, far more enrolments.
2. Qualify before a human gets involved
Use lead form questions and an automated WhatsApp check to confirm residency, age, employment status and qualifications before admissions ever pick up the phone.
3. Plan around intake dates
Flight campaigns in waves that match your cohort calendar, and build nurture sequences that count down to each deadline.
4. Track to enrolment, not to lead
A cheap lead that never enrols is the most expensive lead there is. Import enrolment data back into your ad platforms so they optimise for what actually matters.
This is the approach behind 300+ enrolments in under three months for one provider. Let’s talk about yours.