Looking for employment

The prospect of looking for employment can be incredibly daunting for anyone. But it’s especially hard if you’ve never had a job before.

A video on the benefits of work has been put together by the Unstoppables

Lots of organisations are geared up to help you get the right job or training placement to suit your abilities, interests and needs.

Our Employability Guide helps you understand the different types of work there are, how you find out what employers expect from you as a candidate and how you can write a CV or prepare for a job interview.

There are lots of choices you can make to find out about different jobs, and schemes to help you into the world of work. This section of the website tells you more about things like apprenticeshipstraineeshipssupported internships and who can help and support you.

Somerset Council Kickstart Programme

Somerset Council has partnered with local employers to offer 50 six-month work placements through the Kickstart Programme, and the vacancies are now live.

A variety of placements available could lead to permanent jobs including laboratory stewards, engineering assistants, teaching assistants, business administration roles, grounds assistants, Young People’s Champions and more.

The Kickstart Programme offers young people aged 16 to 24 claiming Universal Credit the chance to land a six-month work placement, paid at the national minimum wage for 25 hours per week.

The job placements will give the participants the opportunity to develop new skills in a professional environment and gain experience to help them find work after completing the scheme.

Somerset Council has worked with the Somerset Centre for Integrated Learning to design a training and support plan for participants during the six-month work placements to help them get the most out of the experience.

This will include professional development such as CV writing and interview skills, and mentors who will provide guidance on gaining new skills during the work placement which will aid them in any future employment. Anyone who wishes to apply for a Kickstart work placement should speak to the work coach at their local Job Centre.

Last reviewed: March 22, 2023 by Sophie

Next review due: September 22, 2023

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