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DISCOVER THE JOURNEY TO LEARNING AND WORK
SEARCH FOR JOBS, LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES & VOLUNTARY WORK
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LOCAL LEARNING & WORK ORGANISATIONS
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Discover the Journey to Learning & Work
Does it all seem like an uphill struggle?
We're here to help you take one step at a time!
It's very easy to feel daunted by the prospect of finding, let alone starting, a job or the right training course. But breaking down the journey between where you are now and where you would like to be in to small, manageable steps can help.
Here are lots of ideas and information to help you discover the next best step towards learning and work and also for organisations and professionals assisting in that process.
Steps on the journey to learning and work
Many people move through various stages in their journey towards learning and work – click on the one which best describes your situation at the moment:
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I have no ideas about what I want to do
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I
know what I want to do – but I want to find out more before committing
myself
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I would like to
find out more about
education/training courses
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I would like
help getting a job
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I would like some support to stay in my present job
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EXPLORE
OK, so you’ve no ideas about what you want to do – that’s fine and there are several ways of helping you to explore your interests
As a starting point, think back through your previous work experience and training – what skills do you have that you could use in a new learning and work situation?
Look through Job Vacancies and also in the local paper (for example, the Express & Echo on Tuesdays and Wednesdays), at Jobcentre Plus or through vacancy bulletins. Make a list of the jobs you think you might like to do. Don’t worry too much about whether you could actually to do the job – that’ll come under
Consider - it’s your ideas and interests that are important at this stage.You could also take a look at our Self Assessment or send in an Application Form to WorkWAYS to arrange a time to come and see us. There's also an easy-to-use self assessment facility at www.yes2work.org.uk
See which other organisations provide work-relevant guidance
You know what you want to do – but perhaps don’t know if you can do it or want to find out more before committing yourself. Once again, there are several ways of helping you to consider what you could do
Work-relevant guidance is available through a number of organisations including Connexions and Nextstep
A Work Psychologist provides an objective functional assessment of aptitudes, speed of work, ability to follow instructions through written and practical work-related exercises. Contact Disability Employment Advisers for more details. Other occupational psychologists are also available – see Yellow Pages or similar directories.
Work Preparation provides a 1:1 Personal Development Module to assist in overcoming particular barriers (e.g. interview techniques, presentation of disability, IT familiarisation). Maximum 13 hours which can be spread over individual sessions to suit needs. No effect on benefits. Travel expenses paid in full. Delivered by Ottervale Training, WTCS, Access Training and PLUSS Contact Disability Employment Advisers for more details.
Voluntary work provides a structured way of making progress towards getting back to employment. Contact First Step Project, Exeter Volunteer Bureau, Ivy Project, BTCV. Also click on voluntary work opportunities for more information.
Send in an Application Form to WorkWAYS to arrange a time to come and see us.
See which other organisations provide assessment of readiness for work, work-related psychometric testing, work-relevant guidance, preparing for work, work sampling/simulation basic skills training, social skills training, advanced/other qualifications, voluntary work.
You know you can do it – perhaps from your previous experience and training - but feel you need an update of your skills or some further training first of all. There are several ways to develop your skills and abilities
Exeter College provide range of full and part-time courses.
Other Learning – Bicton College, Clyst Vale Community Education, Exmouth Adult & Community Learning, East Devon College, WEA, LearnDirect
St Loye’s Foundation – full-time occupational training for people for up to 52 weeks (average 6-9 months) including employer placement. Visit The Maze for details of benefits/allowances in training.
Modern Apprenticeships – full-time occupational training for aged 18-24. Arrange via Connexions. Delivered by ETS Training, Exeter College among others or via Learning & Skills Council.
Programme Centre – part-time IT-related training, also food hygiene and first aid. For Jobseekers Allowance (JSA) recipients only (in general). Delivered by Westward Training. Arrange via Jobcentre Plus.
Private training organisations – there are a number of other training organisations including Pitman Training, Iron Mill Institute, Transplant Mastertrain etc.
Send in an Application Form to WorkWAYS to arrange a time to come and see us.
See which other organisations provide assistance with occupational skills training, NVQs, advanced/other qualifications, self employment.
So, most things are in place – you’ve got the experience, the training and the skills but now it’s down to getting a job. Here are some ideas about where to look for work and get additional support in finding and securing it – to discover your future.
Vacancies – Weekly vacancy bulletins (which are also linked to this site) daily Jobcentre Plus vacancies and local newspapers are always available at WorkWAYS. Visit Jobcentre Plus and phone Jobseeker Direct (0845 6060 234). See also Express & Echo (Wednesdays). Also contact employment agenciesin Exeter (e.g Tact Personnel, Pertemps, Spring Personnel) - employment agencies do not charge people who are looking for work and go to job vacancies for links to other websites.
New Deal – for Jobseekers Allowance (JSA) recipients only. Support looking for jobs. Some training. No effect on benefits if attending as required. Delivered by A4e Work. Arrange via Jobcentre Plus
Programme Centre – ‘Jobclub’ type help with CVs, application forms, interviews. JSA recipients only. Arrange via Jobcentre Plus. Delivered by Westward Training
Work Preparation provides a 13 week placement with local employer looking at 'hard' skills (ability to do job, identify further training needs, confirming level of interest) and 'soft' skills (helping with routine, being with people, travelling etc); full or part-time to suit. No effect on benefits. Travel expenses paid in full. Delivered by Ottervale Training, WTCS, Access Training and PLUSS Contact Disability Employment Advisers for more details.
Self-employment needs a lot of careful thought and planning but there are agencies available to assist - contact us for more details.
Permitted Work visit The Maze for more information. Must be approved by Jobcentre Plus. Still have to find a job with an employer. WorkWAYS can act as a supporting agency for 'Supported Permitted Work' arrangements.
Financial considerations – ‘In-work calculation’ to help think through the money aspects and overcome concerns such as a Better Off Calculation from Jobcentre Plus, help from the Citizens Advice Bureau or visit The Maze.
Send in an Application Form to WorkWAYS to arrange a time to come and see us.
Employers also have concerns about how best to recruit and support staff. Here are some ways in which employers can be helped to overcome any reservations
Job Introduction Scheme
– grant of £75 per week paid to employer for first 6 weeks of employment. Useful for settling in, overcoming employer reservations, identifying any further support needs. Job must be expected to last for 6 months. Client employed and paid wage for the job from day one. Available to any employer (except civil service). Contact Disability Employment Advisers for more information.Access to Work – funding for support worker, special equipment, taxi fares etc. No cost to employer (if applied for before commencing job or within 6 weeks of doing so). Financial and other support for employers is available through the Access to Work scheme provided by Jobcentre Plus. For enquiries within Devon please contact Colin Reeves on 01803 354318.
Workstep – supported employment programme. Package of support for employer and employee inc. financial grant towards salary. Delivered by Remploy Interwork, PLUSS, Shaw Trust. Contact Disability Employment Advisers for more information.
WorkWAYS can also provide support for employers and do please contact us if we can help more.
See which other organisations provide assistance with job search, job coach, open employment, supported work/employment, support for employers, training for employers, benefits advice and self employment
Sometimes staying in a job can be difficult and here are some further ideas and possibilities to help you flourish in your job – and to help your employer as well
Discussion with WorkWAYS - working with employer and employee, exploring and responding to individual situation and needs. Contact us to make arrangements.
Access to Work – funding for support worker, special equipment, taxi fares etc. No cost to employer (if applied for before commencing job or within 6 weeks of doing so). Financial and other support for employers is available through the Access to Work scheme provided by Jobcentre Plus. For enquiries within Devon please contact Colin Reeves on 01803 354318.
Workstep – supported employment programme. Package of support for employer and employee inc. financial grant towards salary. Delivered by Remploy Interwork, PLUSS, Shaw Trust. Contact Disability Employment Advisers for more information.
Work Psychologist – objective functional assessment of aptitudes, speed of work, ability to follow instructions. Psychometric testing and practical work samples. Useful if redeployment in to different occupation with same employer is being considered. Lasts one day and no cost to employer or employee. Contact Disability Employment Advisers for more information.
Private training organisations – help with training for alternative occupation or providing additional skills. For example, Pitman Training, Iron Mill Institute, Transplant Mastertrain.
Send in an Application Form to WorkWAYS to arrange a time to come and see us.
See which other organisations provide support for employers, training for employers, work-related psychometric testing, occupational skills training