We’re working with partners across the city to support those looking to change career, upskill your existing skills or learn new ones.
The following links have lots of advice and information:
- Skills for Life
- Benefits and financial support
- Looking for work
- Careers advice
- Free courses for jobs
- Skills Bootcamps
- Employability skills
Skills for Life
Whether you're growing your business, changing your career or just starting out, it all starts with skills. For more information on a national campaign to support people of all backgrounds get into secure and well-paid employment visit Skills for Life.
Benefits and financial support
We understand that changes in employment may affect your financial situation. Whilst you look for work, you may also be able to access benefits and other financial support.
To make a new benefit claim or change an existing claim, contact Jobcentre Plus.
Looking for work
Not all job vacancies are advertised in the same place. The national Find a Job website allows you to search for jobs based on keywords and location.
You can also visit Job Help from Jobcentre plus for hints and tips on applying for jobs and ideas about jobs you may never have thought of.
It’s also worth visiting online recruitment pages like Indeed or the careers and vacancies pages on companies’ websites.
There are a number of public sector organisations with a range of opportunities in York. The public sector offers attractive career pathways from entry level roles to senior positions, across different departments.
You can search for local public-sector roles on the City of York Council, Civil Service and NHS recruitment websites.
For immediate vacancies in York and the surrounding area, try Facebook groups such as Jobs In York and York Hospitality Exchange.
Local recruitment agencies, such as Work with York can offer tailored support, helping to match you with particular roles or sectors. Not all agencies cover all sectors so it’s best to visit their websites for more information.
Apprenticeships are also a great way to begin or progress your career. They allow you to learn while you earn at all levels. You can search for current vacancies on the national Find an apprenticeship website. To connect directly with apprenticeship employers and training providers, join the Apprenticeships in York Facebook group.
Careers advice
For support to explore careers, undertake a skills assessment, find courses and training and get help to find a job, visit the National Careers Service or call telephone: 0800 100 900.
Free courses for jobs
If you’re at least 19 years old and don’t have a level 3 qualification or have a level 3 qualification but earn less than the National Living Wage, the government might pay for you to take a course that helps you learn new skills or apply for work. There are over 400 different subject areas available including accounting, digital, health and social care, construction, early years, catering, agriculture and more.
Find out more about free courses for jobs
Skills Bootcamps
If you're looking to retrain or upskill, a government-funded, technical or digital bootcamp may be right for you.
Bootcamps are free, flexible courses of up to 16 weeks for adults aged 19 or older and who are in work or recently unemployed. Bootcamps can give you the opportunity to gain skills that will support progression in your existing workplace. Alternatively, if you’re out of work, it can give you the opportunity to build up sector-specific technical and digital skills, and be fast-tracked to an interview with a local employer.
To see the full range of Bootcamps available, visit the Government's list of Skills Bootcamps.
Construction skills training
Are you interested in developing the skills needed to enter or to progress within in the Construction Industry? Whether you’re already working in the sector or new to construction, you may be able to access fully funded training.
Construction York exists to connect the people of York to local businesses who offer training and apprenticeships within the ever-growing construction industry. We are creating a network of local jobseekers, apprentices, businesses, training providers, charities (and other community organisations) with the aim of connecting York’s construction sector.
Construction York is supported by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and City of York Council. The project is free for individuals and businesses to access.
Employability skills
It may have been a while since you needed to look for work. Whether it’s help to build confidence, update your CV, write applications or prepare for interviews, there is a range of free support available in York.
One-to-One advice
For those aged 19 or older, York Learning’s employability team is offering free careers information, advice and guidance.
To access a free individual careers appointment, contact York Learning.
Restart Scheme
The Restart scheme is designed to specifically support you if you’ve been unemployed for 12 months or more.
It’s a comprehensive employment support service which can help you to make a personal plan of action and achieve your job goal.
A wide range of support options are available, including skills training, job application and interview preparation, financial help, online tools and health and wellbeing support.
To access the service you need to be referred by Jobcentre Plus. Please speak to your Work Coach for more information about whether the Restart Scheme is right for you.
The Restart Scheme is commissioned by the Department for Work and Pensions and delivered by Reed in Partnership in York. More information about the service is available at reedrestart.co.uk.
Maths, English and Digital skills
If you’re aged 19 or older, York Learning can help you gain confidence and skills in maths, English and computing, through accredited programmes. To find out more including, whether you could train for free, contact York Learning.
York Learning also offers specialised ESOL classes for people with English as a Second or Other Language. Help with grammar, vocabulary and confidence in the language is free if you’re on a low income. Visit the York Learning website to book an ESOL assessment.