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Schools and education

Skills support and training

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

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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

A range of specialised skills bootcamps are available to residents and businesses in York and North Yorkshire.

To see the full range of Bootcamps available, visit the Government's list of Skills Bootcamps.

Become a Retrofit Adviser

Are you interested in supporting people to improve the energy efficiency of their homes?

Generation UK, a charity which trains, supports and places people into high demand and meaningful jobs, has launched a new green skills training bootcamp.

The 10 week course will help you to develop the skills you need to become a Retrofit Advisor, or ‘Green Consultant’. Upon completion you will be guaranteed an interview with a real employer.

To find out more or apply visit Green Jobs Retrofit Advisor (Generation UK).

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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, complete the York Learning contact form.

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, complete the York Learning contact form.

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.

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Also see:

Skills Team

West Offices, Station Rise, York, YO1 6GA