LOCAL OFFER
Apprenticeships
This gives you the opportunity to work for a real employer, earn a real salary and gain a recognised qualification whilst gaining valuable workplace skills and experience.
Anyone living in England, over 16 years old and not in full-time education can apply.
You can find more information, find and apply for an apprenticeship via the Apprenticeships section of Gov.uk (external link).
Traineeships
These provide a mixture of learning and work experience for young people aged 16-25 who may not be sure what they want to do, or whether they have the skills and understanding that employers might be asking for.
Many colleges and training providers offer a range of traineeships or supported internships and mentoring.
You can find more information and find a traineeship via the Traineeships section of Gov.uk (external link).
Jobs
Jobcentre Plus can also help young people and adults of all ages find work as well as advice on what benefits are available while job search is taking.
You can find more information via the Jobcentre Plus section of Gov.uk (external link).
The National Careers Service provides face to face, online and telephone information, advice and guidance to support your career planning.
You can find more information via the National Careers Service section of Gov.uk (external link).
Gateway Enablement and Employment Support Service (GEESS)
The Gateway Enablement and Employment Support Service (GEESS) is a dedicated team for the Croydon Borough supporting disabled and vulnerable residents, over the age of 16, who wish to find paid employment or consider self-employment.
As a specialised employment service for disabled people and those who may face additional barriers to employment, we focus on an expectation of employability; we aim to promote independence and equality to enable residents to access mainstream work opportunities of their choice.
We also work in partnership with the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) and other services and providers in the Borough to help achieve the best outcomes for our residents. We are considered an ‘Excellent’ Provider and have been externally audited by BASE (British Association of Supported Employment) and scored 95.8% in the Supported Employment Quality Framework (March 2019).
GEESS offer a personalised approach to support residents into real jobs where they can fulfil their employment aspirations and achieve social and economic inclusion. Ideally, the employment pathway should start from the age of 14, with residents being actively encouraged to participate in meaningful work experience and Saturday jobs.
GEESS can offer:
- Personal Development Plans
- Vocational Profiling
- Support in identifying vacancies to apply for
- Training and support in completing job applications
- Interview preparation and support at interview
- On the Job Support
- Help to complete Access to Work applications
- Benefit advice
- Specialist support for starting own business
- Identifying and contacting companies to support job applications
- Free job matching service and training to employers
Referrals, including self-referrals, can be made directly.
How to get in touch
- Phone: 07500 918 672
- Email: emma.shepherd@croydon.gov.uk or gatewayemployment@croydon.gov.uk
- Address: Floor 3, Zone F, Bernard Weatherill House, 8 Mint Walk, Croydon, CR0 1EA
What are Supported Internships?
Croydon’s Supported Internship Program is a study program which is delivered by Croydon Council in partnership with Croydon College.
Supported Internships are for young people with learning difficulties and/or disabilities aged 16 to 24 who have an Education, Health & Care Plan (EHCP) or a Learning Disability Assessment (LDA) who are eligible for High Needs funding through their Local Authority and want to move into paid employment and need additional support to do so.
A supported internship is a one-year study program that will help a young person get the skills and experience needed to succeed. The ideal outcome is the young person will be offered a paid job from the host employer or another employer. It is very similar to a traineeship or apprenticeship, but the main difference is that the young person will be offered a higher level of support than a trainee or apprentice, and this will include work place support through a job coach. A supported Internship is unpaid.
For the employer, the Internship must meet a real business need and provide the potential of a paid job at the end of the Study Program, should the intern meet the required standard.
The structured Study Program includes functional skills English and Maths, preparation for work and on-the-job training and support for both the Intern and the Employer. An experienced Job Coach will work closely with the College and the intern to facilitate learning and personal development.
How do I apply?
You can apply for the Croydon’s Supported Internship Program in the same way as you apply for any other College Study Program. You must meet the eligibility criteria (outlined above) and want to work in order to be consideration for the program. Previous work experience would be an advantage.
How to get in touch
Croydon College
- Email: iona.alberto@croydon.ac.uk
Croydon Council Support Service
- Phone: 07500918672
- Email: emma.shepherd@croydon.gov.uk
- Address: Floor 3, Zone F, Bernard Weatherill House, 8 Mint Walk, Croydon, CR0 1EA
The Disability Confident Action Group
What is the disability confident action group and what does it do?
The Disability Confident Action Group (DCAG) is a forum for local groups and national organisations based in Croydon that help support disabled people and those with long term health conditions to fulfil their potential and realise their employment aspirations.
The DCAG, facilitated by Croydon Council, which is a Disability Confident Employer, meets bi monthly and has a membership of some twenty plus Croydon based organisations including Croydon People First, Shaw Trust, Status Employment, Mind in Croydon, Jobcentre Plus (Department for Work and Pensions) Startup Croydon and Millwood and Pension Protection Fund.
Aligned to the National Disability Confident Campaign the DCAG aims to increase the awareness and confidence of employers in the borough to employ people with disabilities, challenge attitudes towards disability, and increase the understanding of disability.
It meets to discuss legislation, current issues around disabilities, co-ordination of activities and the sharing of information. There are regular contributions from other bodies on work taking place to champion people with disabilities.
How to get in touch
- Phone: 07500918672
- Email: emma.shepherd@croydon.gov.uk
- Address: Floor 3, Zone F, Bernard Weatherill House, 8 Mint Walk, Croydon, CR0 1EA