Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to explore the behavioural determinants of work-related benefits claimants' training behaviours and to suggest ways to improve claimants' compliance with training referrals. Design/methodology/approach: Qualitative interviews were conducted with 20 Jobcentre Plus staff and training providers, and 60 claimants. Claimants were sampled based on whether or not they had been mandated to training and whether or not they subsequently participated. Along with general findings, differences between these groups are highlighted. Findings: Claimants' behaviours are affected by their capabilities, opportunities, and motivations in interrelated ways. Training programmes should appreciate this to better ensure claimants' completion of training programmes. Originality/value: Whilst past papers have largely examined a limited number of factors that affect claimants' training behaviours, this report offers a synchronised evaluation of all the behavioural factors that affect claimants' training behaviours.