Job Searching

Access to work

If you’re disabled or have a physical or mental health condition that makes it hard for you to do your job, you can:

• talk to your employer about changes they must make in your workplace
• get extra help from Access to Work, including mental health support

Apply Online – www.gov.uk/access-to-work/apply

Apply by phone – You can apply by calling the Access to Work helpline. Make sure you have all the necessary details with you when you call.

Access to Work helpline

Telephone: 0800 121 7479

Textphone: 0800 121 7579

Relay UK (if you cannot hear or speak on the phone): 18001 then 0800 121 7479

Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm

Find out about call charges

British Sign Language (BSL) video relay service

To use this you must:

first check you can use the service

go to the video relay service

Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm

Citizens Advice

Citizens Advice gives people the knowledge and confidence they need to find their way forward – whoever they are, and whatever their problem.

Their network of charities offers confidential advice online, over the phone, and in-person, for free.

Website www.citizensadvice.org.uk/

Additional contact information www.citizensadvice.org.uk/about-us/contact-us/contact-us/contact-us/

Construction retention scheme

The Construction Leadership Council’s Talent Retention Scheme (CLC TRS) TRS is an independent employer-led programme, originally initiated by former Secretary of State (BEIS), which is dedicated to supporting the attraction, development and retention of people and skills in UK construction, manufacturing, engineering and technology.

Candidates

Potential candidates can showcase their skills, talent, expertise and experience to more than 400 employers in the construction industry, you can register your details and upload your CV today.

If you’re an employer interested in securing the skills, talent and experience you need, then please register your interest. We’ll be in touch to take you through the process and once vetting is complete, you’ll be able to browse candidates and directly upload roles to the site.

Flyer for Candidates

Employers

Employers can register their interest in securing the skills, talent and experiences they need in the construction industry.

Flyer for Employers

Talent Retention Scheme – construction

Find a job

Find a Job is the Government’s Job Search site

findajob.dwp.gov.uk

Hospitality Support

If you are in the hospitality industry these resources may help you with your job search.

Sectors in the hospitality/ service industry may include accommodation, food and drink services, event plannings, theme parks and transportation and may include hotels, restaurants and bars.

Careerscope

The support hub for those who have lost their jobs due to Covid-19 & those looking to enter the #hospitality, #leisure & #tourism industries.

The hospitality industry hub encompasses the advice, resources and support of dozens of organisations who are there to help you right now.

Whether you’re looking to develop your career, build your skills, need financial or wellbeing support, want to connect with other people like you, or are simply looking for the perfect next job, this hub can help you.

The hub is supported by 5 national organisations – Springboard, UK Hospitality, Hospitality Action, Savoy Educational Trust & Institute of Hospitality.

Digital Hospitality Academy

Specialist free support from the Springboard employability team. A mix of online training, groups webinars and one to one support.

Jobshelp

From Jobscentre plus this site has hints and tips on applying for work, job search ideas and advice for jobseekers.

jobhelp.campaign.gov.uk

Jobcentre Plus

Is the part of the Department for Work and Pensions which delivers working-age support service in the United Kingdom.

Find your nearest job centre
find-your-nearest-jobcentre.dwp.gov.uk/search.php

Contact Job Centre Plus
www.gov.uk/contact-jobcentre-plus

Mental Health

We all have mental health, and it is important to look after it. In this section we have compiled some resources to help you look after your mental health.

Rethink Mental Illness – Money Benefits and Employment
www.rethink.org/advice-and-information/rights-restrictions/money-benefits-and-employment

HNS – Every Mind Matters
www.nhs.uk/oneyou/every-mind-matters

Mind
www.mind.org.uk

Mental Health Foundation
www.mentalhealth.org.uk

National Careers Service

The National Careers Service provides free personalised information, advice and guidance to help you make decisions, whether you are looking for work or training, considering a career change or facing redundancy.

If you have been made redundant or are at risk of redundancy our qualified advisers can help you:

• Identify your transferable skills and strengths
• Create a targeted action plan
• Identify retraining needs
• Find courses and training
• Develop your employability skills
• Find and apply for local opportunities.

The National Careers Service website offers advice if you lose your job as well as a careers advice section and online tools to help you assess your skills and find work and learning.

They help local employers making redundancies to support their staff and ensure a smooth transition into new work. Find out more about our Regional Redeployment Service in association with local LEPs.

The National Careers Service work alongside other partners in the region to offer a unified approach and to ensure you receive the help and support you need.

To speak to a qualified careers adviser, call the National Careers Service helpline on 0800 100 900 open 10am-8pm 7 days a week or use our webchat service on our website: https://nationalcareers.service.gov.uk/

Useful links:

National Careers Service
nationalcareers.service.gov.uk

National Careers Service – careers advice / help to get a job
nationalcareers.service.gov.uk/careers-advice

National Careers Service – Explore Careers
nationalcareers.service.gov.uk/explore-careers

National Careers Service – Skills Assessment
nationalcareers.service.gov.uk/skills-assessment

National Careers Service – Find a course
nationalcareers.service.gov.uk/find-a-course

National Careers Service – How to write a CV
nationalcareers.service.gov.uk/careers-advice/cv-sections

Recruitment Agencies

There are many recruitment agencies that can help you in your search for employment.

Use our Jobs Launchpad directory of who to work for to find out about recruitment agencies near you.

Jobs Launchpad  – Who to work for
heartofswlep.co.uk/who-to-work-for/

Redundancy support

The Department of Work and Pensions have produced factsheets providing information about redundancy support for both employers and employees.

Employee Redundancy

Being made redundant is challenging. But there is support and information available to help you find a new job, understand what benefits you can claim and provide you with useful sources of information.

Employee Redundancy Factsheet PDF

Employer Redundancy

Redundancies are challenging for everyone involved.

The Department of Work and Pensions ‘Rapid Response Service (RRS) provides support and useful information.

This is a redundancy service designed to give both employers and employees support and advice about things like:

• helping people facing redundancy to construct CVs and find jobs
• helping people identify their transferable skills and training needs
• providing training to help people develop vocational skills
• providing general information about benefits
• helping with costs like travel to work expenses

If you need to get in touch with Jobcentre Plus to discuss what redundancy support is available please email: rrs.enquiries@dwp.gov.uk

Employer Redundancy Factsheet PDF

Seetec Pluss

Seetec Pluss inspires thousands of people every year to find work, build a career, and develop their confidence and skills. We also work with thousands of employers, matching the skills of our job seekers to the needs of their business.

Our teams deliver a range of free employability programmes. From rapid-response to longer-term holistic employment services, we’ve something for everyone and are determined to ensure that no-one is left behind in their aspiration to find work.

Contact

Phone: 0800 334 5525

Preparing for work

Seetec Pluss supports thousands of people each year to find work, develop their confidence and skills, and achieve a career.

You will have your own personal Change Coach who will help you identify your goals, put together a tailored back-to-work plan and agree on the steps you need to take to find employment.

We can help you to:

• Kickstart your new career – identify transferable skills, create a winning CV, prepare for interviews and apply for jobs
• Learn the right skills – access a wide range of qualifications and training courses including care, customer service, admin and so much more
• Build confidence – support to feel good, improve wellbeing and overcome any barriers
• Meet the right employers – introductions to employers of all types and sizes
• Be prepared – support to overcome any hurdles such as equipment, travel or interview clothes.

We’re here every step of the way to help you reach your true potential.

Apprenticeships / traineeships

Whether you’re just starting out or looking to change your career direction, apprenticeships are open to people of all ages who want to get ahead. With on-the-job as well as off-the-job training, apprenticeships provide ready-made career paths with plenty of opportunities to progress.

All our apprenticeships are recognised within their industries. You’ll build competence in your chosen profession – on top of earning money and valuable work experience. You’ll be well on your way to achieving your career goals while others are only just beginning.

Our apprenticeships include

• Professional services: Business Administration, Customer Support, Credit Control, Team Leader and more…
• Aviation and logistics: Freight forwarding, Aviation Operations, Warehousing, Supply Chain and more…
• Digital, media and communications: Digital Marketing, Public Relations, Broadcast production and more…
• STEM: IT, engineering, software development and much more…

Employer recruitment services

Recruiting for recovery. Our fast, free all-inclusive service helps employers find great staff who are pre-screened, skilled and ready to work in a post-Covid world:

• People – We’ll source the right people for each business in the long-term
• Prepare – We’ll develop and prepare candidates to meet business needs
• Recruit – We can help with recruitment and selection, including sifting CVs, screening candidates, co-ordinating interviews and onboarding
• Upskill – We can access funding for workforce development, apprenticeships and traineeships
• Support – We offer specialist advice on retention, health and wellbeing at work.

Serco (SSW)

With economic outlook changing at pace, you may be looking to upskill your workforce to avoid unemployment.

Serco Skills Support

“Skills Support for the Workforce (SSW) is a funded training programme developed to upskill employees within small and medium-sized businesses in the Heart of the South West LEP area; Devon, Plymouth, Somerset and Torbay. They provide recognised accredited qualifications and bespoke training courses to enhance your employees’ skills, increase the competitiveness of your business and boost the local economy. SSW is co-financed by the Education and Skills Funding Agency and the European Social Fund.

Skills Support for the Workforce is all about progress. They can help you progress your career, education and business.”

Serco redundancy Support

Serco also provides skills support for redundancy.

“Funded, tailored training to support individuals and businesses

Skills Support for Redundancy (SSR) is an initiative designed to support employers and individuals affected by redundancy. SSR is a tailored service to meet your needs, offering a wide range of training support. A dedicated Partnership Coordinator will work with you to identify the best sources of support and training to help you achieve your goals.

Co-financed by the Education & Skills Funding Agency and European Social Fund, this service is delivered by Serco.”

Universal credit

Use the Governments Understanding Universal Credit site to find information about:

• Sick pay
• Making a new claim
• Housing
• FAQs
• Already Claiming
• Self-employment
• Employers

Colleges in Somerset

Many of our Somerset colleges provide opportunities to improve your employability skills and courses to help you upskill.

Please visit our skills provider page to find out about colleges in Devon.

Somerset Skills and Learning (adult education)

Provide Employability courses to help you find and apply for jobs, start on a CV and the interview stage.

www.sslcourses.co.uk/courses/