Expert partners for employment support

Employment e-newsletter

We are supported by our expert partners, who possess a wide range of experience and knowledge to support all of your employment needs.

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Ace Workplace Learning

Ace Workplace Learning is a Matrix Standard accredited organisation, dedicated to providing a versatile, client-centred service, which empowers people to recognise and fulfil their potential through the delivery of high-quality advice and guidance and training programmes.

We provide a personal and individual tailored free service through the National Careers Service, offering in-depth Information Advice and Guidance to individuals at all stages in their career journey, including those who are economically inactive, long term unemployed, and communities that are furthest away from the labour market.

We can also help those who are already in employment who are seeking a career change or progression within their current role. Furthermore we offer advice on training and courses to enhance employment prospects, and we have experience in delivering the Multiply course which develops budgeting and numeracy skills.

Our friendly, knowledgeable and professional staff, who all hold either Level 4 or Level 6 IAG qualifications, help inspire, educate and guide our clients through all stages of their entire career planning journey.

Please do contact us via our website to discuss how we can help you.

Acorn Training

The team at Acorn Training have been recognised for their work championing diversity and inclusivity, winning ‘Network of the Year’ at the 2020 World Skills UK Diversity and Inclusion Heroes Awards.

This highlights the company’s commitment to understanding personal circumstances, goals and aspirations and helping to break down barriers to work for all - specifically, individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds and minority groups.

Acorn Training’s expert employment coaches are friendly and welcoming, supporting individuals with:

access to training and qualifications
CV writing
job searching
interview preparation
debt and money advice
confidence and skills building
breaking down barriers to work

For more information, please visit Acorn Training or contact [email protected].

Adult Learning Northants

At Northamptonshire Adult Learning Service, we provide a friendly and safe learning environment enabling people to focus on their learning goals and personal ambitions.

We prioritise courses that support people to improve their health and wellbeing, support their family or to give people skills for employment or further training.

Provision includes:

Essential Skills (including English, maths, IT, ESOL)
Family Learning (courses for parents carers and children to learn together. Mainly working in partnership with schools)
Learning for Wellbeing (courses to help people with their mental health)
Study Programme (alternative to sixth form and college for 16 to 18 year olds)
Neighbourhood Learning (working in partnership with voluntary organisations)
Multiply (courses and activities aimed at increase math skills)

For more information about these provisions, including specific course details or further guidance on eligibility see Adult Learning, call 01604 367119 or email [email protected].

Adult Learning have a range of Level 2 courses accredited by NCFE CACHE.

Level 2 Diploma for the Early Years Practitioner
Level 2 Extended Diploma in Health & Social Care
Level 2 Certificate in Understanding Safeguarding and Prevent
Level 2 Certificate in Awareness of Mental Health Problems
Level 2 Certificate in Understanding Specific Learning Difficulties
Level 2 Certificate in Understanding Children and Young People's Mental Health
Level 2 Certificate in Understanding Behaviour that Challenges
Level 2 Certificate in Understanding Autism

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: [email protected]

Commsave Credit Union

Commsave Credit Union is a not-for-profit financial co-operative that all people living in Northamptonshire are eligible to join.

We help people regularly save, provide access to responsible credit and have a whole range of benefits including access to financial education and money management tools.

Here’s all you need to know:

Commsave Services: We provide a range of traditional banking services including savings and loans. Unlike banks though we distribute profits to members in the form of dividends and into projects and services that serve the community.
Commsave Educates: We run a host of financial education workshops and webinars and have a Commsave Educates app which is packed with money management tips and tools and offers support on topics such as budgeting and financial literacy.
Commsave Partners: We have a staff benefits package which empowers organisations to help their staff save from pay. Local organisations including West Northamptonshire Council, Royal & Derngate Theatres, Northamptonshire Chamber of Commerce and Travis Perkins are proud to be Partners.

Our vision is ‘To see a world in which everyone is financially included, has access to responsible credit, a safe method of saving, and the financial skills to manage their money wisely and to achieve long-term wellbeing.’

Anyone living in the postcode area are eligible to join Commsave.

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.

We offer a range of training, coaching and recruitment services for individuals, businesses and schools in our local community, in both a 1:1 and group capacity.

Contact CWR Consultancy to book - call 01327 831269 or email [email protected]

Daventry Volunteer Centre

Based in Daventry Town Centre, but supporting people across West Northamptonshire, the Daventry Volunteer Centre provides intensive 1:1 support for individuals thinking about, or looking for work through our latest new lottery funded “Help to Work Project”.

As well as traditional employment support such as CV writing and help with access to training, we offer a range of tailored support including volunteering and work experience opportunities, to directly help you on your employment pathway.

Additionally, we can help broker jobs between people and employers, to help take some of the stress of job searching away, and help ensure that your next job is the right job for you.

With great successes in helping people who have had some time away from work (be that due to caring responsibilities, health challenges or significant life events) we welcome anyone, especially those from the groups below, who feel they might be a step or two away from finding paid work.

Are you 50+ or looking to work past retirement age?
Do you have longstanding health conditions or disabilities that might impact your return to work, and would like some additional support?
Are you a carer exploring returning to work?
Do you have limited, or no access to transport, or technology?

If you answered yes to any of those questions, please do not hesitate to get in touch - we look forward to hearing from you.

We are based in The New Street Centre in Daventry, and are open for drop-ins on weekday mornings or appointments at any other times. Our address is Daventry Volunteer Centre, New Street Centre, 13 New Street, Daventry, NN11 4BT.

You can find out more information about our services on the Daventry Volunteer Centre website, or get in touch by email: [email protected], or call 01327 300614.

Diversiti UK

Explore your options and potential with our job clubs and networking opportunities. We offer fully funded individual and small group sessions.

We support CV writing, interview skills, online job searching, 1-1 mentoring, volunteering, work experience and work focussed projects, including access to our own IT suite.

Individual and group music sessions are also available - all levels. All face-to-face activity is in line with social distancing measures. We also help individuals with mental health issues and health conditions.

For more information visit Diversiti UK, call 0800 612 7479 or email [email protected]

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.

Evolve Your Future

Evolve Your Future offer various resources to support individuals in their careers and professional development. Adult learning opportunities, such as training courses, can help individuals develop new skills and advance in their current careers.

For those seeking advice in their current workplace on their career path, our careers advice team can provide you with friendly guidance and support.

For those experiencing unemployment, our Pathways 4 Recovery programme can assist with job searching, confidence building, CV writing, interview techniques and training opportunities.

Overall there is a variety of opportunities to explore, take part and achieve their career goals. We are here to help, so drop us a call or message to speak to an adviser today.

Futures 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

Futures Housing Group

We're a not-for-profit housing association that's been providing affordable homes and supporting people across the East Midlands for over 15 years. We know that life can be difficult without work. That's why we offer a free employment advice service to all our customers - whether you're trying to get back on your feet or looking for your next adventure, we're here to support you.

We can help with anything from

careers advice
career change
job application support
CV/cover letter writing
preparing for an interview
volunteering
training and education
work experience
apprenticeships

If you are a Futures Housing Customer and looking for support, contact us on [email protected] or 0300 456 2531.

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. This helps people gain the skills they need to find and keep a job, or helps 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 Brandon and Stephen at [email protected] for more information or to refer yourself or someone you know.

Haus of HR

Haus of HR is leading, award-winning HR and coaching provider located in Towcester, Northamptonshire. Our dedicated team offers a diverse range of services designed to empower both organisations and individuals to grow and thrive.

Our services for individuals include:

CV Writing and Optimisation: crafting compelling CVs to enhance your professional profile
LinkedIn Profile Development: elevating your online presence
Job Search and Applications: assisting you in securing the right opportunities
Interview Skills Enhancement: equipping you with the skills to excel at interviews
Career, Leadership and Executive Coaching: guiding your journey to professional excellence

Furthermore, we specialise in delivering tailored guidance and support to senior executives. We work with them to enhance their strengths, refine their job skills and help them cultivate a powerful personal brand. This empowers professionals with the necessary tools for achieving career success and the confidence to build brighter futures.

For information please visit our website at Haus of HR. You can also reach out to us via email at [email protected] or by calling 01604 261380. We’re here to help you unlock your potential and embark on a successful career journey.

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
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.

Key Business Skills

Key Business Skills supports residents from the Daventry District Area in all areas of employment and self-employment needs. Through effective careers management and support tailored to help individuals on and into employment.

Expert and qualified Careers Advisors work with customers to ascertain where they are, where they want to get to, and how to get them there. Services are available to anyone aged 18+

Support is fully funded and support can be exampled around:

career changes – giving of impartial advice and support
educational advice, what is required, where to get it
writing CVs, and giving of advice around tailoring your CV
job search and applications, getting the most of your job searching needs
interview practice and preparation, ensuring job readiness
help to identify key transferrable skills and abilities in order to understand possible career paths

To make an impartial free appointment phone 01327 702925 or email [email protected].

Mencap

Mencap’s Trainee Programmes are for young people between the ages of 19 – 24 years old and identify as having a learning disability, difficulty and/or Autism. Our Traineeship Programmes are aimed at helping you develop skills in a workplace and to move onto an apprenticeship or into paid work.

The Programmes are flexible and between 6 weeks and 12 months. All Mencap traineeships are linked to real job vacancies and offer guaranteed interviews at the end of the programme, so you may be able to progress directly into a fulltime job.

The programme takes place over 17 weeks, to include one week of preparation. By the end of the programme, you will have:

an understanding of and be able to apply your knowledge in preparing you for the world of work, including policies and processes of the partner employer
an evaluative report about the workplace, including evidence from the employer about your work-place experience
improved your application of English, digital skills and mathematics
been offered some form of employment at the end of the placement, or preparing for an apprenticeship, or for progression to study further

For more information see Mencap Traineeships.

Prospects

Prospects provides the careers service for Northamptonshire making sure young people who have finished Year 11 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 Year 11. 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.

Money Advice Team

Our money advice service is available if you live or work in the South Northamptonshire area. It’s a free, independent and confidential service that provides advice about the following issues:

Debt
Money management and budgeting
Benefits and how to apply for them
Completing forms

You can book an appointment by emailing [email protected] or call us on 01327 322275.

South Northants Volunteer Bureau

South Northants Volunteer Bureau provides support on becoming a volunteer and advice on how volunteering improves your employability.

SNVB have lots of volunteering opportunities for you to help charities and volunteer groups.

Please contact by telephone 01327 358264, we are open Monday to Thursday 9am to 4pm for a chat.

Talking Therapies

NHS Northamptonshire Talking Therapies provides help for common mental health problems like anxiety and depression. The service is for people aged 17 ½ years who are registered with a Northamptonshire GP.

The service offers talking therapies such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), counselling, other therapies and Guided Self-Help. The talking therapy offered will depend on the problems you are experiencing and how severe they are.

We provide 1-1 therapy (either in-person, via telephone, or online video call) online therapy programmes and webinars.

To access the service either complete the Talking Therapies online registration form or call 0300 999 1616 (weekdays, 9am to 5pm).

The Mallows Company

The Mallows Company is a leading provider of information, advice and guidance in Northants supporting organisations and individuals achieve their full potential.

Through our highly qualified and experienced coaches, we not only offer impartial help to individuals to assist with training and work opportunities but also tailored training and coaching support to businesses.

We also provide a free digital support service for digitally excluded people to apply online for visas and in partnership with HM Courts and Tribunal Service (HMCTS) in filling in forms, applications and uploading documents on the following:

appeal a benefit decision- Social Security and Child Support (SSCS)
submit a plea - Single Justice Service (SJS)
make a money claim - Online Civil Money Claims (OCMC)
apply for a divorce (Divorce)
apply for probate (Probate)
get help paying court and tribunal fees (Help With Fees)

At The Mallows Company, 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. To book a digital or telephone session email: [email protected].

For employers training or coaching email: [email protected].

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 [email protected].

Timpson

Unemployed? Got an interview?

Timpson will help you look your best when times are tough so if you’re unemployed and going for an interview, they’ll clean an outfit for you free of charge. This is available from 500 of our locations nationwide.

You don’t need a voucher to receive this support just pop into your local Timpson and have a chat with their colleagues who will make sure that you’re off to a genuine interview. So long as the items you bring in are for a genuine job interview they’ll help you on your way.

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 [email protected] 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 Silverstone offers an affordable and reliable form of transport to help people commute to the workplace as well as assisting domiciliary care workers with a transport option to visit clients within the Northamptonshire County.

We offer 50cc and 125cc automatic petrol driven scooters for hire which we charge a weekly rate.

The fees start from £51 per week for a 50cc or £57 per week for a 125cc scooter. This fee covers delivery and collection of the scooter, insurance, manufacturer servicing, MOT and Road Tax, roadside assistance, and a security lock.

For further detail please call 01327 857213 or email [email protected].

Last updated 16 August 2024