Free support sessions to help you get into work

If you are ready to take the next step towards employment, join Cheshire West and Chester Council’s Skills and Employment Service for free support to help you get into work as part of National Employability Day.

The team are hosting Skills and Employability Fairs from 10am to 12pm at the Argos Room, on Mercer Walk in the Port Arcades at Ellesmere Port on Tuesday 23rd June and Northwich Outreach Hub on Weaver Way on Wednesday 24th June. There is no need to sign up, just come along to these free sessions.

The Fairs offer skills and employment support such as help with your CV, interview practice, boosting confidence, tips on searching for jobs, and help with first impressions and networking.

The events are in support of ERSA’s National Employability Day on Friday 26 June, which showcases the impact of employment support and skills provision across the UK. It shines a spotlight on the work of providers, local authorities, employers, colleges and others in helping people move towards and into good work. The day showcases best practice, shares success stories, and raises awareness of the importance of high-quality employability and skills services.

Cheshire West and Chester’s Skills and Employment team provide year-round support for anyone aged 16 and over to help you move into work. They provide employment mentoring, help with overcoming barriers to work and a wide range of adult skills development opportunities. At any one time they work with over 1,000 people to improve their job prospects.

Their services are mostly delivered through four Skills and Employment Hubs in Chester, Ellesmere Port, Northwich and Winsford. From these Hubs and other locations, they deliver a wide range of training – from basic IT to Construction skills. Employment support teams can offer assistance whether you are a teenager looking for their first job or someone with a long-term health condition looking to get back into work. 

Earlier this year, the team began delivering Connect To Work, a project aimed at supporting people with disabilities, health conditions and complex barriers to work. So far over 400 people have enrolled on Connect To Work in Cheshire West and Chester. Advisors provide one-to-one support to improve prospects of finding and keeping a job, as well as working with individuals already in employment. Over 60 unemployed participants have already found employment with Connect To Work.

The Skills and Employment Service has also just completed delivery of a successful Skills Bootcamp in Fork-Lift Truck Operations. Several of the learners found work immediately after completing the sessions and the team is working with the others to promote these qualified candidates to local employers.

A similar Skills Bootcamp in hospitality will be starting in late summer and the team are actively recruiting candidates now. The Level 3 Skills Bootcamp is full-time over four weeks and covers food hygiene and allergens as well as skills for more general customer facing roles. At the end, participants will work on CV and interview skills before gaining a qualification in hospitality and catering.

The Skills and Employment service is always looking for ways to support not only local residents, but also local business who are trying to recruit. If your business could benefit from employment-ready candidates, we can work with you to ensure our training offer meets your needs as well.

Find out more about the Skills and Employment Service online:

https://www.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk/residents/education-and-learning/further-and-higher-education/skills-and-employment

Or email to see how the team can help support you:

skillsandemployment@cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk