Employment and skills
We can help if you are looking to progress your career or need employment support.
Community Hubs
Community Hubs offer free employment support. Including access to IT, job searches and applications.
National Careers Service
National Careers Service provides information, advice, and guidance. To help you make decisions on learning, training and work. For more information visit the National Careers Service website.
Skill Up Somerset
Apprenticeship and skills advisory service for individuals and businesses. For more information view the Skill Up Somerset website.
Step Up Somerset
Employment, skills development and business support. Including redundancy support, starting a business and wellbeing support. For more information visit the Step Up Somerset website.
Citizen Advice Bureau
For support with Benefits, Redundancy, Housing and Money Matters please contact your local bureau: Citizen Advice Somerset
Job Centre Plus
For support with Employment & Redundancy please contact your job centre. Jobcentre Plus – GOV.UK
For more information contact: employmentandskills@somerset.gov.uk
Apprenticeships and Traineeships
Apprenticeships – age 16 and over
An Apprenticeship provides on the job training and a salary. If you are 16 or over, you can be an apprentice if you live in England and are not in full-time education.
Traineeships – age 16 to 25
Traineeships are for 16 to 24-year-olds or 25-year-olds with an education, health and care plan (EHCP). And help young people get ready for an apprenticeship or job. For more information about local opportunities please see the following websites:
Skill Up
Somerset Skills and Learning
Yeovil College
Kick Start for 16 to 24-year-olds in receipt of Universal Credit
For young people who may be at risk of long-term unemployment. For more information, please see Want A Kickstart
You can apply via your Work Coach. You need to be in receipt of Universal Credit. You can use this link to find out more about applying for Universal Credit.
Job Entry Targeted Support (JETS)
The scheme helps to develop realistic job goals and career paths for the unemployed. The Job Centre will help you get the support you need.
Redundancy
Citizens Advice Somerset can provide support and advice. You can contact them on 0808 278 7428 Monday to Friday from 10am to 4pm.
For more information visit the Citizens Advice Somerset website.
Step Up Somerset provides access to many free support services. Which will help you navigate redundancy.
Self-employment
You can find useful information about how to Set up a Business from GOV.UK. Along with practical support about Growing your business.
To learn more about self-employment please use the links below:
Heart of the south-west growth hub
NESTA
Step Up Somerset
Prince’s Trust - works with 18 to 30-year-olds living in the UK to provide support for starting business.
Volunteering
Volunteering can provide you with the opportunity to help people. Volunteering can also provide you with knowledge and skills, which will help you get into work or transfer to a new career. To learn more about volunteering please view the links below.