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Finding a new job or progressing at work

Group of people standing and smiling whilst listening to someone talk

Whatever your situation, we can help you to get the right training or qualifications to access better opportunities to find or progress at work, build your skills and develop your confidence. We have a range of free services and resources to either help you towards your first steps into work or help you progress in your current job or career.

Whether you have recently retired and are interested in going back to work part-time, or have children and want to explore flexible working options for an extra income, we can support you on your journey. We have also helped customers with taking their first steps into employment, some have been long-term unemployed with health challenges, while others are already in work but want to learn new skills, retrain, or take on a new challenge for their own personal development.

NHS Coventry & Warwickshire Employability Academy

We’ve partnered with NHS Coventry & Warwickshire Health and Social Care Employability Academy, to support and provide opportunities for local residents aged 16 and over who are interested in working in health and social care. This includes those of you who may have not considered working in the sector before and is particularly aimed at those from underrepresented groups, people with refugee status, care leavers and individuals with a visible/non-visible disability.

The Academy provides different length employability programmes, from one-day sessions on helping with interview skills and applications, to a more detailed five-week programme that gives further insight into the world of health and social care.

For more information, or if you would like to be referred into one of the programmes, complete the form.

Fill in the form

 

More about work and training
First steps towards finding work
Skills training and support
Work and Benefits
Employability and skills grants
Better Days services

First steps towards finding work

To help get you into a positive mindset, Try these three steps to help you on your way to your next job or career:

Step one:

Each of us has value to offer a future employer, so have a think about what your strengths are. Knowing what you are good at will help you understand what jobs are best suited to you.

Start by writing a list of the things you are good at or enjoy doing. Make sure you include anything that you think an employer might like about you or will make you stand out, such as being good with timekeeping. List any qualifications or training you have done, as well as your qualities and personality that you would like to use in a job. Do you like helping people? Are you always the one who organises things? Write it all down!

 

Step two:

A CV is a document used when applying for jobs. It allows you to summarise your education, skills and relevant work experience helping you to successfully sell your capabilities to potential employers. Most employers will ask you to complete an application form or send them a CV, so be prepared by having all your information ready. 

Your CV should show your employment history, your skills and your strengths. You can include your educational history too, such as where you went to school or college and what qualifications you may have.

Although some employers use application forms rather than CVs, having an up-to-date CV will be useful when filling in an application form. The same sort of information is often needed for both.

For extra help writing or improving your CV, register on Skillsminer to use the new CV generator tool or register for our next free online CV writing session with one of our Orbit trainers. 

Step three:

Seek additional support if you feel you need it. You’re not alone on this journey and there are plenty of free resources and support programmes that can help you. We’ve listed some of those below:

Make the most of your local Jobcentre Plus

If you are claiming Universal Credit and you need some help to improve your chances of finding work, you may contact a work coach at your local Jobcentre Plus. They could help with childcare support, clothing, transport, IT equipment, training and much more. If you don’t already have a work coach, you can find out where your nearest Jobcentre Plus is by visiting the Government website.

Improve your skills

Take a look at the job descriptions of the kinds of roles you’re most interested in. If you have any skill gaps, find out what free courses are available to help you get the skills you need. Some providers could pay for your course to help you find a job. Click the link to check out these opportunities on GOV.UK.

Prepare for interviews

Most employers use interviews to help them hire the right person. Find out what you can do to help make sure they choose you. Sign up for our next free online ‘Interview Techniques’ training session with one of our trainers.

Get some experience by volunteering

Are you interested in a job or business and don’t have any experience of that kind of work? Volunteering or work experience could open the door for you to step into your next career! Try Get Volunteering to search for an opportunity that suits you.

Skills training and support

Take advantage of our free employment skills training and job coaching support:

  • Access our free employment and skills training sessions to help you start your job search journey. Sign up here and we’ll get in touch and let you know about our upcoming online sessions
  • You may also be eligible for free support from one of our job coaches who can help you with your CV, interview skills and provide additional one-to-one support. To get in touch, provide your contact details here and we’ll contact you to discuss your options.

Alternatively, you can apply for external job coaching programmes. For example, if you are currently unemployed and receiving employment support, you can register for the Business in the Community (BITC) job coaching programme through your DWP work coach, or you can email BITC’s job coaching team directly at coaching@bitc.org.uk for information.

Work and Benefits

Take control of managing your money by understanding how a change in employment may affect any benefits you might receive. Finding out how much money you will be getting from your employment can help you plan and manage your overall spending. If you are entitled to benefits, using a Better-Off Calculator can give insight into how a change in employment will impact you financially.

Starting work does not mean giving up all your benefits. It’s important to find out exactly what you are eligible for, so that you can stay on top of your money more easily. Some benefits may carry on, and others may become available once you start work (depending on your situation).

Contact Jobcentre Plus if you’ve found a job and you or your partner have been getting:

Your Universal Credit Work Coach will help you to manage your move into work, and sort out changes to your other benefits, including tax credits.

Additionally, if you want to work out how much your take home pay will be, try this Salary Calculator to help you manage, budget and plan your finances once you are in work.

Please visit our myMoney page for more information on managing your money and cost of living support. 

Employability and skills grants

We understand that some people may need a helping hand in their efforts to find work. If you qualify, we can offer our employability and skills grants to help support your job search.

These grants can help with:

  • Training and course fees
  • Travel costs
  • Interview clothing
  • Work/ training equipment.

Please get in touch with us to see if you are eligible.

Better Days services

Better Days Services

Our free Better Days programme offers expert advice and practical information across a wide-range of support services from mental health, financial or debt advice, to employment and digital skills. Simply click the button below to find out more. You can also call us on 0800 678 1221.

Find out more

Events

Visit our events page to find out about a variety of activities in your area from; drop-ins, jobs fairs, meet up groups, fun days, training and awareness sessions and much more!

Join an event

Self-referral

If you need help or advice at any time, the Better Days programme is here to support you, please complete the self-referral form and a member of our team will contact you.

Complete the form

Job and training opportunities with Skillsminer

Skillsminer is our new, free digital platform that in no time at all, will help match you to potential jobs and training opportunities based on your skills and interests. It takes about four minutes to set yourself up and get going.

By registering, you’ll have 24/7 access to:

  • Over one million UK-based job vacancies – after answering a few simple questions about your job preferences and interests, we will identify your skills and automatically match you with jobs that you can apply for, including options you may not have considered before
  • Details about 15,000 qualifications – we will suggest different qualification and certification programmes that may interest you, as well as free online courses that you can sign up for
  • 50,000 free educational resources – we will provide a selection of short videos about the types of jobs available and what you would need to do to get a job that you’re interested in. 

Learn more

If you still need help, we’re here for you – just contact us directly.

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