Jobs, Apprenticeship and Skills Fairs

In February 2020, before the onset of the coronavirus pandemic, Julia Lopez MP hosted her first Jobs Fair in the Queen’s Theatre in Hornchurch, bringing over 20 employers with local job opportunities in a range of sectors to constituents. The event was very successful, with a number of attendees having follow-up appointments with employers, however since March 2020 these events have moved to an online format.

Julia has continued to host these events in a virtual format and we have been able to broaden the scope of them, with sessions focusing solely upon apprenticeship opportunities within the Civil Service to the involvement of training providers outlining local re-training opportunities and the provision of CV writing advice. These events have been a great opportunity for Julia to bring employers ranging from the Metropolitan Police, Network Rail, Wates Construction, UPS and the Department of Work and Pensions directly to constituents to talk them through opportunities, what it is like to work for the given employer and the application process for the roles discussed.

We are currently planning our next event, which will take place in April, and will focus on how businesses may enhance their digital marketing. Given the subject of the talk, we hope that this event will be beneficial to established businesses, the self-employed and local voluntary organisations. Further details will be published in local media and on this webpage soon. However, you can sign-up to Julia’s mailing list here to ensure that you do not miss notification of this event.

Finding a job

Finding a job can feel like a daunting task in which it can sometimes be difficult to know where to start, particularly if you are considering a change in career or lost your job unexpectedly.

Job Help

Job Help is a service operated by the Department of Work and Pensions to help people search current vacancies as well as providing advice on a range of topics from where to look for jobs, how to use transferable skills, how to stay motivated and tips throughout the process of applying for jobs. There is also specific advice for young people aged under 25 on navigating the job market. Job Help can be accessed via: https://jobhelp.campaign.gov.uk/

Government’s Find a Job Service

As well as the many recruitment websites, the Government maintains the ‘Find a Job’ service, which replaced the Universal Jobmatch service, to help people to search for current vacancies across the country. To use this service, visit: https://findajob.dwp.gov.uk/

The National Careers Service

The National Careers Service provide a number of helpful and free resources to help you identify your skills and match them with opportunities as well as providing guidance on recruitment processes as well as re-training opportunities. The National Careers Service also provide access to free online courses to help you learn new skills or change your job ranging from coding, professional development and practical maths.

To access of these services or talk to an advisor for free, visit the National Careers Service at: https://nationalcareers.service.gov.uk/

Civil Service Careers

As well as the provider of public services, the UK Government is also one the country’s largest employers employing over 450,000 people across the UK and overseas. A huge variety of careers can be enjoyed within the Civil Service ranging from customs agents, web developer, customer service adviser to marine biologist. A career in the Civil Service can be rewarding in the knowledge that you are delivering key services for the population, with opportunities for career progression, a flexible working environment and access to the Civil Service pension scheme to help build security for your retirement.

For advice on Civil Service careers visit: https://www.civil-service-careers.gov.uk/

To search for a job within the Civil Service visit: https://www.civilservicejobs.service.gov.uk/csr/index.cgi

Support to find work if you are disabled

The Government have produced specific guidance on the support that is available to help disabled people find work and to identify businesses which are registered as ‘Disability Confident’ employers. The Disability Confident scheme helps businesses to change behaviour and cultures within their own business, networks and communities which otherwise may limit their recruit and retain talented individuals, irrespective of their disabilities. The scheme is also helpful in aiding disabled people to seek employers that are committed to employing disabled people.

Guidance on the support available to disabled job seekers, including support if you think you have been treated unfairly when applying for a job, can be found online at: https://www.gov.uk/looking-for-work-if-disabled/applying-for-a-job

Kickstart

Under the Kickstart Scheme, the Government provides a six-month job to 16-24 year olds who are claiming Universal Credit and are at risk of long term unemployment. If you have a work coach, they will talk to you about the Kickstart Scheme and whether it is right for you.

Further information on the Kickstart Scheme can be found at: https://jobhelp.campaign.gov.uk/kickstart/

Job Centre Plus Rapid Response Service

If you have been made redundant within the last 13 weeks, are currently within a redundancy notice period or suspect that you may be made redundant you may benefit from enhanced support from the Job Centre via the Rapid Response Service. The Rapid Response Service can provide support in CV writing, finding training opportunities, work trials as well as information on benefits. The service can also provide help with some costs, such as childcare costs, travel to work expenses as well as vocational training. Further information on this service can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/redundancy-your-rights/get-help-finding-a-new-job 

Finding an Apprenticeship

For many people, whether someone that has just left full-time education or someone that simply wishes to change to a new career path, an apprenticeship can provide the ideal opportunity to gain formal qualifications whilst continuing to receive an income and on-the-job training.

Apprenticeships can also suit individuals of varying qualification, with different levels of apprenticeship being equivalent to the study towards different equivalent education levels:

• Level 2: Intermediate – equivalent to GCSE education
• Level 3: Advanced – equivalent to A level education
• Levels 4, 5, 6 and 7: Higher – equivalent to foundation degree and above
• Levels 6 and 7: Degree – equivalent to bachelor’s or master’s degree

While undertaking an apprenticeship, you will receive a salary (minimum wage requirements are linked to your age) and at least 20% of your working hours must be spent on training, this can be completed online, at the workplace or somewhere else like a college or training provider. You will also receive other employee rights, such as sick and holiday pay.

For more advice and to search for an apprenticeship visit: https://www.gov.uk/become-apprentice

Retraining and Skills

As noted above, sometimes the acquisition of new skills can be helpful in the search for work, for a career change or to enhance opportunities for career progression.

Skills Toolkit

The National Careers Service provide 79 free online courses on a variety of subject matters ranging from personal development, computer science, coding, business & finance and practical maths.

Also available from the National Careers Service is advice on where other courses can be accessed, an assessment to identify your own skills and potentially suitable careers as well as access to individual advisors. All of these services can be accessed via: https://nationalcareers.service.gov.uk/find-a-course/the-skills-toolkit

Short Courses

New City College (of which Havering College is a part) provide a number of short courses for those aged 19 or over which provide a qualification recognised by employers to help you back into the workplace or to move careers. Further information on the 16 courses available can be found at: https://www.ncclondon.ac.uk/short-courses-and-training-for-jobs

National Skills Fund

In the wake of the disruption caused by the coronavirus pandemic to businesses and individuals across the country, the Prime Minister has announced the Lifetime Skills Guarantee to allow adults without an A-level or equivalent qualification to access a free and fully-funded college course to provide them with the skills valued by employers at a time and location that suits them.

Training under this scheme will be funded by the National Skills Fund with initial qualifications available in:

• engineering
• building and construction
• health and social care
• childcare and early years
• digital
• business management
• accounting and finance
• public services
• medicine and dentistry
• environmental conservation
• forestry
• agriculture
• horticulture
• mathematics and statistics
• science
• teaching and lecturing
• warehousing and distribution
• manufacturing technologies
• transportation operations and maintenance

With training courses commencing in April 2021 you may find further information on the scheme alongside a full list of available courses at: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/adults-to-gain-new-skills-on-400-free-courses