Expert partners for employment support
We are supported by our expert partners, who possess a wide range of experience and knowledge to support all of your employment needs.
Adult Learning Northants
Whether you want to learn a new skill, improve your job prospects, or simply learn for pleasure we have an exciting range of courses to meet your needs. Our programmes are designed to enable you to take the first steps on your learning journey. Courses are delivered across the county in community venues and schools which have agreed to host us and are COVID secure. Our courses are delivered by highly qualified and dedicated tutors who are passionate about their subject.
For more information see Adult Learning, call 01604 367119 or email adultlearning@northnorthants.gov.uk.
Business and IP Centre Northamptonshire
The Business and IP Centre Northamptonshire supports entrepreneurs, inventors and small businesses from that first spark of inspiration to successfully launching and developing a business.
As part of the British Library Business and IP Centre national network, they run workshops and information and advice sessions on self-employment and intellectual property.
If you are considering starting your own business, their free services include:
Telephone: 01604 361447
Email: bipc@westnorthants.gov.uk
CWR Consultancy
CWR provides support at all stages in the employment journey. Working in partnership with you, they will take a tailored approach to support your individual recruitment needs.
Do check out their newly updated website which gives access to their bitesize online coaching videos and also links to the ‘Be Career Confident’ series which runs every Thursday morning at 9:30am through Crowdcast. Replays of previous episodes are also available on the website.
Contact CWR Consultancy to book - 01327 831269 or info@cwrconsultancy.co.uk.
Employment and Disability Service (EADS)
The Employment and Disability Service (EADS) are the sole providers across Northamptonshire of the Work and Health Program. They are also the Supported Employment Specialists West Northamptonshire Council and have been delivering this type of support across Northamptonshire (and Leicestershire) for 38 years.
The Work and Health Programme is an employment support programme commissioned by the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP). It is designed to improve employment outcomes for people with health conditions or disabilities and those unemployed for more than two years.
Working with individuals for up to 15 months which includes in work support to ensure they settle in well to their new job role. As part of this program EADS focus on 7 Key life Areas in order to get someone ready for employment and have action plans for:
- friends, family and responsibilities
- physical and mental health
- social inclusion
- skills and experience
- lifestyle
- housing and money
- finding and preparing for work
Supported Internships
Supported internships are for young people aged 16-24 with learning difficulties or learning disabilities, who want to get a job and need extra support to do this.
To be eligible you need a Statement of Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), a Learning Difficulty Assessment, or an Education Health and Care Plan.
Future For You
Contact us for free, straightforward, and practical advice and support. Together we help people explore their options, find opportunities and get prepared for the future. We even offer a huge range of free courses.
Our support is completely tailored to what the individual needs, some examples include:
- Help getting people back into work, including jobs that are high in demand
- Support with changing career
- Writing CVs
- Job search and applications
- Interview practice
- Redundancy support
- Help to identify key transferrable skills and abilities
Contact us and book an appointment today.
Goodwill Solutions CIC
Goodwill Solutions CIC looks at the challenges people face, provides access to pre-employment programmes and reduces barriers to work through skills development and vocational training that help people gain the skills they need to find and keep a job, or to help them progress into further education or training. The project provides funding for training and employability support for those aged 18 – 29 who are long term unemployed. We also support those of any age who are either homeless or an ex-offender.
Please contact bbo@goodwillsolutions.co.uk or 01604 422464 for more information or to refer yourself or someone you know.
Jobcentre Plus
Jobcentre Plus shares jobs, events and essential career advice, including about sick pay, universal credit, housing, furlough, changes to job centre appointments and much more.
Visit the Job help by Jobcentre Plus website for information about the changes the government has brought in to support people who are already claiming benefits, or need to claim benefits, or are at risk of losing their job as a result of coronavirus.
You can also find information on:
- Job search ideas - Advice on where to look for jobs, how to use your transferable skills and helpful job search tools
- Advice for jobseekers - Build your skills, stay motivated and get hints and tips from experts of the job application process
- Redundancy advice - Useful resources and advice if you have been made redundant or are at risk of redundancy
Jobs 22
Jobs 22 seek to address the social, economic and wellness challenges faced by unemployed individuals in the UK and find sustainable employment opportunities for them.
They're focused on their participants' success, which leads to a positive impact on local employers, partners, and the wider community. They aim to create bespoke support systems by partnering with local organisations and charities so their participants are empowered to join local businesses with the skills they need to succeed.
Their support doesn’t end at the point of signing a new job contract though! The Jobs 22 approach offers continued services to participants beyond their start date, so employers can trust their new employee has ongoing support with everything they need to deliver in their new role.
MK Dons Sport and Education Trust
MK Done SET is proud to deliver this fantastic initiative which supports individuals who face barriers and challenges to connecting or reconnecting with education, training and work.
Join our programme and you’ll receive:
- tailored one to one support
- help with basic skills
- employability support including CV writing
- transferable and practical skills development
- financial support for courses and training
- ongoing support, even after you start work
Contact sue.quinn@mkdonsset.com for more information.
Prospects
Prospects provides the careers service for Northamptonshire making sure young people who have finished Yr11 and are not in education, employment or training can access the guidance and support they need to move on.
Prospects Advisers help young people think about their career ideas, decide what they want to do and then support them to progress into further education, employment or training to achieve these career aims.
All young people who are NEET (not in education, employment or training) can use the service for 2 years after Yr11. Young people who are looked after/leaving care or have an Education, Health Care Plan are eligible for support to 25 years of age.
To arrange to speak to an Adviser contact Prospects on 0800 7313219 or 01604 630033 or visit the Prospects for more information
Skills Support for Redundancy (SSR)
SSR has adapted delivery of its training provision to continue to support individuals who are at risk of redundancy or have been made redundant in the last three months, as well as employers who are facing difficult staffing decisions.
Skills Support for Redundancy 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 SSR Partnership Coordinator will work with you to identify the best sources of support and training to help individuals get back into employment.
Money Advice Team
The Money Advice Team provides advice on a broad range of debt and welfare benefits.
South Northants Volunteer Bureau
South Northants Volunteer Bureau provides support on becoming a volunteer and advice on how volunteering improves your employability.
All services are still being maintained, apart from being able to receive volunteers and potential volunteers for a chat.
SNVB have lots of volunteering opportunities for you to help charities and volunteer groups.
Please contact by telephone 01327 358264, your call will be returned or email info@snvb.org.uk
The Mallows Company
The Mallows Company is a designated provider of funded free information, advice and guidance working with individuals ensuring they get the right support to help maximise full potential to meet employers’ requirements.
"Our aim is to support you in your professional and personal development and to assist you to get back on the career or training ladder at the earliest opportunity.
Through our team of highly qualified and experienced Advisers, we offer impartial help to assist with training and work opportunities.
We provide support in developing a Competent CV and Cover letter, Selling yourself in Applications and Interviews as well as Careers Management, Building Resilience, Skills Assessment and Upskilling through a range of Free online courses."
For a free digital session contact Greg now on 07561 830561 or Email: greg@themallowscompany.com
The Prince’s Trust Team Programme
The Team Programme is for young people aged 16-25 who want to improve their confidence, skills, gain a qualification and take on opportunities to progress. The duration of the programme is 12 weeks and is full time. It's free and will not affect any benefits being claimed, travel is also supported through bus pass.
What happens on the course?
- Team building
- Take on fundraising events and a community projects of their choosing
- Get two weeks' work experience
- Career planning unit - next steps
- Presentation skills
What will they gain?
- Improved chances of moving into a job, education, or training
- A nationally recognised qualification
- Career advice and help with job-hunting and CV
- Practical skills, such as communication and teamwork that will help in a job
- Improved confidence and self-belief
- Routine and structure
- Improved mental health and wellbeing
If you would like more information, please contact Siobhan Peters on 07766 365211 or speters@bedford.ac.uk.
TRACK
TRACK supports people on the autism spectrum to access employment, through training, consultancy and creating opportunities.
TRACK offers one-to-one employment mentoring, which can be funded by Autism Forward for people over 18. There is an eligibility check before the mentoring begins, but the consultation meeting is free. Mentoring can help with job searches, CV development, letters of application, interview support, and transitions. It can take place at a variety of locations and can last up to 12 months.
Applicants will need to provide evidence that they are legally entitled to live and work in England and Wales and (if requested by the trustees) proof of financial need.
Priority will be given to applicants without previous employment-related mentoring, and who do not have other means available to pay for such mentoring. Contact thomas@track.org.uk to arrange an initial consultation, and he can help complete the application form.
TRACK provides training and consultancy services to businesses that want to ensure their workplaces are aware and accessible to people on the autism spectrum. Businesses can access TRACK's e-learning course here: An Introduction to Supporting Autism in the Workplace.
TRACK has a café in Northampton's Market Square that provides a social space for everybody and allows people to gain work experience and develop skills.
University of Northampton
Support to set up and grow your own business through intensive 121 support and online masterclasses provided by the University of Northampton, as well as an ongoing comprehensive programme of webinars aimed at supporting the local economy to survive the challenges of COVID19 and to plan for future recovery post-pandemic.
Wheels To Work
Wheels to Work provides scooter and 125cc motorcycle hire in South Northamptonshire to support you getting to work.
If transport is restricting you actively seeking employment, training or an apprenticeship or you work anti-social hours, hiring a scooter gives you independence and opportunity.
Training and protective clothing can be provided with the scooter too.
For further details, please call 01327 857213 or email info@wheelstowork.net.
Last updated 30 September 2021