Employment event at Abbotswood

Do you live in Yate or surrounding areas? Looking for a job or training opportunities? Pop along to the St Nicholas Family Centre on 28th March. Meet potential employers and gain interview experience!

 Thirsday 28 March 1-3 pm at St Nicholas Family Centre.

Wheels to Work Christmas £20 Bike Sale!

Are you, or is someone you know looking for work and in need of help with transport?

Contact your local Job Centre (South Glos only) for a referral before 4 December.

For just £20 you could get a reconditioned bike, lights, and a lock. What's the catch? No catch, but you must be eligible for the Wheels to Work scheme – see below for details.

The nitty gritty – you will be eligible for this scheme if you are:

• recently placed, or currently not in education, training or employment;
• aged over 16 years old
• living or studying in South Gloucestershire
• eligible to work and/or study in the UK
• referred by the Job Centre or an agreed partner organisation
• using the travel training, subsidised bike or bus ticket to access skills, education or employment including interviews
• able to complete an anonymous survey after 3 months.

For more info, please visit the TravelWest South Glos Wheels to Work web page

Careers Fair next week aimed solely at deaf and disabled people

A careers fair aimed solely at deaf and disabled people will held in Southmead next week. Bristol Community Transport offering free transport and the event itself is free.

The evnt will run from 10am to 4pm on 9 September 2016 at the Greenway Centre, Doncaster Road, Southmead, Bristol BS10 5PY

The careers fair is open to all Deaf, Hard of Hearing People, and Disabled People. It will be fully accessible. A range of employers will be seeking to engage with Deaf and Disabled People from apprenticeship to experienced. Further details can be found here

Please book your place via Eventbrite here

Vacancy for Parish Council grounds staff member (part time)

Would you be interested in joining the team at Dodington Parish Council on a Permanent Part Time basis, undertaking caretaking duties at Play Areas, Open Spaces and Parish Hall?

Details are available here and you can find out more about Dodington Parish Council from their website.

The closing date is 31st August.

Low-cost computer scheme launched in South Gloucestershire

A low-cost computer scheme is being piloted across South Gloucestershire in a move at helping targeted groups access the internet more easily.

A range of starter desktop and laptop PCs are being made available to anyone who is on low income, receiving certain benefits or experiencing other disadvantages.

The equipment, which is available through an IT provider is professionally refurbished, ready to use and includes a 12-month warranty.

The aim of the scheme is to help people who wouldn’t otherwise be able to afford a PC with a view to using it to look for work or access online training and learning.

Councillor Heather Goddard, Chair of the Communities Committee, said: “Not owning or having ready access to a computer can be an obstacle to people who are looking to find work or to acquire new skills or knowledge through online learning.

“This pilot scheme will help those unable to afford a computer through subsidised and supported assistance.”

Prices start from around £85 which includes a fully-licensed version of Microsoft® Windows 7, Microsoft® Office 2010, 12-month warranty and free delivery.

Residents must receive at least one of the following to be eligible for these special Microsoft® Office system prices:

·       Income Support
·       Jobseekers Allowance
·       Pension Credit
·       Disability Living Allowance/Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
·       Attendance Allowance/Constant Attendance Allowance
·       Carer’s Allowance
·       Incapacity Benefit/Employment and Support Allowance
·       disability element of working tax credit

Registered UK charities can also take advantage of this special deal.

For anyone who meets any of the following criteria there are computers available without Microsoft® Office 2010 but still including Microsoft Windows 7 and starting at around £100:

·       65 years or older
·       receiving means-tested benefit
·       are an unpaid carer
·       are registered disabled
·       living on a low income
·       have a child entitled to free school meals

More information on the scheme is available at https://www.southglos.gov.uk/lowcostcomputer

To take advantage of this special deal please visit any of the organisations listed below. You will be asked to complete a simple application form and may also be asked for proof of eligibility for the scheme.

To order you will need either a valid PayPal account, credit or debit card or, alternatively, you can pay in cash at any of our libraries.

Assistance with ordering is available at these organisations. All of our libraries also offer an introductory session on setting up your new computer and a range of free online courses to help you through the basics.

For more information and how to order visit:

Any South Gloucestershire library

For details of your nearest library visit www.southglos.gov.uk/libraries or phone 01454 868006

Banjo Island Community and Sports Association
The Batch Community Centre
8a Park Road
Warmley
BS30 8EB
07984 073968 (Jackie)

Southern Brooks Community Partnerships
Coniston Community Centre
BS34 5LP
01454 868570

Carers Support Centre
Vassall Centre
Gill Avenue, Fishponds
Bristol BS16 2QQ
0117 939 2562

Juice Community Project
56-60 Newton Road
Cadbury Heath
BS30 8EL
01454 302 302

Age UK South Gloucestershire
67 High Street
Thornbury
South Gloucestershire
BS35 2AW
01454 411 707

New year, new business? Free training session

Are you starting a new business, or thinking of working for yourself? Cool Ventures offer introductory sessions to help you understand what it means to work for yourself or start a new business. Starting with an enjoyable and interactive two hour session they introduce you to the basic concepts of running a business and help you decide whether it is right for you.

There's a FREE one-evening session at Emersons Green on Monday 2nd February. Check out this link for details and to book your place

Free courses for adult learners in South Glos

Would you like to

• gain a qualification?
• improve your job skills?
• help your children's learning?

South Gloucestershire Community Learning are offering courses in English and Maths to Level 1 and 2 (Level 2 is equivalent to GCSE at A-C grade)

If English is not your first language, there are also short ESOL courses for people who need to improve their language skills for life in the community or for job seeking and work.

There are also IT courses that concentrate on building people's skills for the workplace and help them to search and apply for jobs online.

Other courses cover CV writing and interview skills, and Family Learning courses to help you help your child's learning.

There are enrolment sessions at Yate Library as follows:

• Thursday 5 Sept 5 pm to 7 pm
• Thursday 12 September 10 am to 12 noon

There are also enrolment sessions at other libraries on different days.

For more information you can ring 01454 864813, email community.learning@southglos.gov.uk, or check out the Community Learning website at www.southglos.gov.uk/learningandskills.

Free Job Fair, Chipping Sodbury Town Hall, this Friday

Chipping Sodbury Lions Club is organising a free Job Fair on Friday 22 February from 7.00 am to 11.30 am at Chipping Sodbury Town Hall.

The Fair will offer a chance for local employers to chat informally with those attending the event over a free breakfast. The secrets of job hunting will also be revealed in a presentation: How to find your ideal job.

The event is open to job hunters of all ages. It will specifically highlight opportunities and support for 18 to 24 year olds, with details of the latest government schemes designed to encourage employers to invest in young recruits.

Online registration and further information is available at www.lionsjobfair.org.uk

Out of work, not at college, 16 to 25? "Get on Track" could be for you!

If you are out of work or college and aged between 16‐25, then the ‘Get on Track’ programme is for you.
‘Get on Track’ provides you with the self‐discipline, motivation and confidence you need to enhance your chances of employment.

This FREE programme is run through the Dame Kelly Holmes Legacy Trust - you will be mentored by world class athletes, who have experienced the highs and lows of world class competition. Financial support and transport to the course are available.

Get On Track will include

• Team Building and Problem Solving
• Community Give back
• CV and Interview Skills
• Work Experience
• Confidence Building Activities

"The whole Get On Track programme has been amazing. It’s improved my confidence so much and given me experience of working as a team which I didn’t have before" - Jamie, 22

The Get on Track programme can lead on to further optional opportunities such as:

• Suited and booted – employment skills course (a free suit   to all finishers)
• Hired & Inspired – follow on course with free tablet computer to all finishers
• Introduction to Sports Coaching 1 day
• 2 day leadership course
• Community Sports Leaders award (30hrs)
• Access to South Gloucestershire Council apprenticeship schemes with South Gloucestershire & Stroud College.

For more details of the next Get On Track programme starting 12th March 2013 and how to apply, or for details of recruitment events, contact Jonathan Wheeler jonathan.wheeler@southglos.gov.uk or tel.
01454 864618.

‘Get Hired’ Employability Event, Filton 7th March

South Glos Council has announced a major employability event at Filton Community Centre, 2 pm – 6.30 pm on Thursday 7th March 2013.

• Local businesses, organisations and employment agencies -vacancies, apprenticeship and volunteering opportunities
• Workshops on CV building, dressing for success, confidence building, assertiveness and interview techniques
• Welfare advisers - benefits, tax credits, child care and other entitlements
• Inspirational female speakers will share their journey with aspiring women throughout the day in honour of International Women’s Day
• Crèche available

Fancy being your own boss? Get expert help at Yate Library on 30 January

Find out more about setting up and running your own business at this evening session at Yate Library 6.30 - 9.00 pm on Wednesday 30 January.

You can register by emailing yate.library@southglos.gov.uk or by phoning 01454 868006.

This is a joint event by Sodbury and Yate Business Association and South Gloucestershire Council.

Want a job? Aged 16 to 18? This training could be just what you need!

KTS Training is starting an exciting, brand new 'I Just Want a Job' course at the Ridgewood centre in Yate.

It is aimed at young people aged between 16- 18 who are not currently in employment, training or education and will give them the opportunity to achieve a qualification and enhance their employability skills.

The eight week intensive programme will cover employability skills including mock interviews, CV work and help and expertise in job applications.

The full range of subjects the learners will study on the programme includes first aid, customer service skills, target setting, CV and Cover letter work, numeracy skills at work, mock interviews and techniques, work standards, rights and responsibilities in the work place and team work.

The portfolio driven work that learners will complete will result in an Employability qualification at Level 1 and learners will be matched to a 2 week work placement at the end of their programme and will be provided with interview clothes completely free of charge.

Places are limited to 10 initially and they are recruiting now so contact 07722994238 or email Nicola.lace@ktsgroup.co.uk

Free part-time courses

South Gloucestershire Community Learning Service is offering a range of FREE part-time courses in community venues to help you gain a qualification, improve your job skills, help your children's learning or get more involved in the local community. The courses are aimed at people aged 19 years and over. You can find out more in the online prospectus.

Over 50? Actively looking for a job or considering self employment? Free workshop Tuesday 17 July

Red Door Coaching and Training is holding another @50 Careers Workshop in association with South Gloucestershire Council.

It's open to anyone over 50 who lives in South Gloucestershire and has been actively looking for a job or considering self-employment.

The workshop is on on Tuesday 17 July 10.00 am to 2.00 pm in the Salvation Army Hall, Staple Hill.
Free Lunch will be provided, and coffee will be available from 9.30 am.There will be a guest speaker.

For more information, please phone 01454 881954 (or leave a message out of office hours)


To attend, please request an application form by email from info@reddoorcoachingandtraining.co.uk

South Glos to take on 240 apprentices

Over a four-year period South Glos Council will be hiring 60 apprentices a year in areas like housing, care, catering and street services. The scheme, which is being run in partnership with South Gloucestershire and Stroud College at Filton, will be open to young people between 16 and 24.

The Gazette has more details here.

For more information about the scheme contact Natalie Zullo at South Gloucestershire and Stroud College on 0117 909 2234 or email natalie.zullo@filton.ac.uk

Over 50? Looking for a job or considering self employment? Free workshop Wed 18 April

• Do you live in South Gloucestershire?
• Are you over 50?
• Have you been actively looking for a job or are you considering self-employment?

If you answered yes to all the above, the Red Door @50 Careers Workshop could be for you... Get help with finding a job or starting a business!


Wednesday 18 April 10.00 am to 2.00 pm at the Armadillo Youth Café, Yate Town Centre. 
Free Lunch provided.


Guest speaker from Marks and Spencer: ‘What Employers Want’


To attend, please request an application form by email from info@reddoorcoachingandtraining.co.uk


This event is delivered By Red Door Coaching and Training Ltd in association with South Glos Council.