Charity number: 1135731; Company number: 7117962;
Registered address: Oxford Place Centre, Oxford Place, Leeds LS1 3AX
Looking for work
Your local job centre and local paper are the best places to start, and all vacancies will also be advertised on their web sites.
Your local job centre can also offer information on training and other opportunities in your local area.
Daily newspapers tend to have one edition a week for job adverts, but the day varies for each paper, eg The Guardian has a jobs section on Tuesdays. Newspapers will also have an on-line jobs pages.
Local employment agencies can help find you temporary or permanent work.
Your local council, education authority and health care trust will all be significant employers in your area, and will have jobs advertised on their web sites.
Careers advice and training
If you are considering re-entering the job market, finding a new job, or up dating your qualifications, there is plenty of free help available. Every adult in the UK (aged 20 or over) is entitled to a free careers consultation with Next Step. To find a Next Step careers adviser in your area, you can also contact your local Job Centre.
The Government is keen to increase the population’s employment skills, and there are many free learning opportunities for people who have less that five GCSE’s at grades A-C (called Level 2).
There are other pockets of money available for training, eg for single parents, and many are run by voluntary and community organisations, but opportunities vary across the country. To find out more contact your local Council for Voluntary Services (see phone book, or ask at your local library).
Your local library, council and colleges will all have information on work related courses.
For more information, on adult learning, courses and learning grants, see also:
Volunteering
Volunteering can offer valuable experience which can be key to gaining new work skills. See www.do-it.org.uk, or contact your local Council for Voluntary Services. (ask at your local library). If there is an organisation you are particularly interested in, contact them directly and ask to speak to the Volunteer Co-ordinator.
More information on volunteering opportunities
f you receive state benefits, they won’t be affected if you volunteer, and there is no limit to how may hours you can volunteer. However, if you are volunteering, it is compulsory to notify your benefits office or Job Centre, but as long as you only receive reimbursements for expenses that cover your costs, and stay available for work if in receipt of Job Seekers Allowance, there should not be a problem.
If you are receiving Incapacity Benefit or Employment Support Allowance you can also volunteer. A leaflet ‘Volunteering While Receiving Benefits’ is available from your local Job Centre.
More information on volunteering and benefits
Work
More support
Support for women returning to work, based in London
UK Resource Centre for Women in Sciemce, Engineering and Technology
Advice, training and bursaries for women to progress their career or return after a career break
Return to work:
part time on line courses with
The Open University.
Bursaries available.