It’s National Careers Week and whether you are thinking about a new career, are looking for a lifestyle change, or want to learn new skills and access education or training, there’s lots to choose from in Plymouth.
Outlined below are 11 of the latest opportunities. If anything catches your eye, simply get in touch by emailing skillslaunchpad@plymouth.gov.uk, or text 07917 264736.
1. Careers advice and CV refresh
One of our key delivery partners is the National Careers Service. The fantastic local team, based here in Plymouth, provides face-to-face support with careers information, advice and guidance on CVs, cover letters, and interview prep; and can help you to make decisions on learning, training and work at ALL stages of your career. Best of all… it’s FREE!
If you’d like to have an appointment at Skills Launchpad Plymouth, we can arrange pre-booked appointments for our members, so simply sign up as a member here or contact us.
If you’re not quite ready for a face-to-face appointment, visit the National Careers Service website here to try out a skills assessment, explore over 800 careers, or search for learning and training opportunities. The website has great advice on making career choices, getting a job, and progressing in your career.
2. Learn a new skill - in person
It’s never too late to learn new skills. Whether your motivation is to improve your English, maths or digital skills, get a job or start a hobby, Plymouth has lots of providers offering adult education - and the courses are quite often free.
Courses range from business and coding to hair and beauty, animal care, sport and fitness, cooking, and more. Some can even help you to access university-level study. To get started take a look at short courses with Achievement Training, City College Plymouth, On Course South West and Smart Skillsas these are just a few of the providers delivering courses face-to-face throughout the year – including vital English, maths and digital classes.
You can also drop in and take part in the weekly sessions at Shekinah based at 24 Stonehouse Street:
Wednesdays 9.30am - 2.30pm: Employability Course
12.30pm - 4pm: Essential Digital Skills Course
Thursdays 9.30am - 2.30pm: Art Course
Fridays 9.30am - 12.30pm: Maths and English Courses
9.30am - 2.30pm: Art Courses
3. FREE E-learning
A number of our partners offer free online courses, so why not use gain a new qualification or skill from the comfort of your own home?
Courses range from computer essentials, professional development, and digital design and marketing; to business admin, specialist care courses, and interview skills.
Links for more information are below:
4. Facing redundancy – SERCO can help
If you are facing redundancy or have been made redundant within the last three months, the Skills Support for Redundancy programme can help you access funded training that enables you to upskill or retrain and get back into the workforce – for free!
Click here to find out more.
5. Start your own business
Always dreamt of starting your own business? It can be both an exciting adventure and daunting, especially if you have additional barriers to overcome, such as disability or being long-term unemployed.
Outset offers start-up support to include and support everyone, working with people from a range of different backgrounds, and often with different needs. We can support you by arranging a face-to-face appointment with an Outset advisor at Barclays, or you can check out their current webinar listing here.
We have added lots of information and links to support you in setting up your own business in our Resource Bank here. We also suggest checking out the upcoming online courses with SMART Skills, the National Careers Service, On Course South West, and City College Plymouth.
6. Support for military service leavers, veterans and their families
Every Tuesday, the Skills Launchpad Plymouth team provide military service leavers, veterans, those serving and their families with information about the latest opportunities to connect with skills, training, education, careers and jobs in Plymouth. This weekly service is held in the physical Skills Launchpad Plymouth space on the first floor of Barclays, Armada
Way, and sees key delivery partners DWP Armed Forces Champions, Career Transition Partnership (CTP), and RFEA – The Forces Employment Charity, supporting local people.
No need to book, just turn up.
7. Opportunities in construction
The construction industry is booming. Whether you are highly skilled and experienced, or thinking about a career change and looking to explore where you fit in, your first stop should be the Building Plymouth Job Shop. Based in Barclays, the Job Shop is open to anyone, just drop in on a Tuesday between 12noon-2pm.
New to construction? Why not check out Greenlight Training or CTSW’s two-week pre-employment courses. Both will give you a great opportunity to develop your skills and get a feel for what you enjoy.
Alternatively, there are onsite training programmes available. Take part in an eight-week programme in North Prospect with Train4all and Vistry Partnerships to obtain multiple qualifications and your CSCS green card, or the five-day Sherford Training Programme can help you gain experience, and the chance to gain your CSCS card.
For current job vacancies in construction and the built environment, click here.
For upcoming short courses and accreditations for both new and experienced tradespeople, click the links below:
8. Opportunities in health and social care
There has never been a more important time for the health and social care sector, and there continues to be a shortage of workers, particularly in the home care sector.
Whether you have a background in care or a feeling that you may be good at it, there are lots of ways to find out more.
People of all ages can drop into our Health and Social Care Job Shop, every Thursday between 12noon-2pm in Barclays.
Check out the Council’s Home Care Assistant campaign here and register your interest for a callback.
Explore the jobs and volunteering opportunities available with Livewell South West here.
It’s also worth exploring the e-learning section above, as there are lots of free online courses you can do to develop skills for the health and social care sector.
9. Devon Mind
Do you struggle with anxiety? If so, why not sign up to take part in a session to help with understanding anxiety and to learn tips and tools for managing anxiety.
Each session is an hour and will be run on Zoom to a small group, which includes a facilitator from Devon Mind explaining anxiety and some short online activities. Interaction is optional and can be done anonymously. There is also no pressure to turn your camera on and unmute yourself if you do not feel comfortable doing so.
The next session is taking place on Tuesday 29 March and Tuesday 5 April, from 11am - 12noon. To sign up, and to explore other upcoming sessions with Devon Mind around beating depression, overcoming problems, looking after your mental health as a parent, and more, click here.
10. Apprenticeships
Apprenticeships are real jobs with training. They start all year round and are not just for school leavers!
Apprenticeships are a great way to earn while you learn, gain a nationally recognised qualification, and study from Level 2 right up to degree-level, depending on the role you are working towards.
If you are worried about the financial side of an Apprenticeship salary, you could be entitled to claim universal credit to top you up, so don’t rule it out as an option.
In the latest edition of Plymouth’s exclusive apprenticeship bulletin, there are more than 300 apprenticeship vacancies, so there are lots to choose from. Click here to view.
11. Volunteering
Volunteering is a fantastic way to test out different jobs to find out what you prefer, as well as helping you to gain experience and develop soft skills that are useful in all careers. You may also choose to volunteer as a way to give back and share your skills and experience with others.
There are lots of opportunities to volunteer in Plymouth, whether that’s supporting a one-day charity event as a marshall, being a phone friend to help combat loneliness and isolation for the elderly, or caring for animals. To explore and apply for local opportunities, click here for the One Plymouth website. Alternatively, click here for more links via the Plymouth Online Directory.
Find out more…
For information about any of our partner programmes, simply e-mail skillslaunchpad@plymouth.gov.uk, or click here to sign up as a member.
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