Employment and training
Our Employment and Training team offer a dedicated service of guidance, support and practical help to any Sovereign resident looking to access training or work.
They offer a tailored service for each resident they work with, so whether you’re looking for a first job, would like to gain a qualification or are planning for the longer-term – they’re here to help!
When you access the team, you’ll receive support from a dedicated Employment and Training Officer who will help you to develop a plan that’s right for you.
Some of the ways they may be able to help you include:
- Resident grants to help you access training and work opportunities.
- Support with your CV.
- Finding the right job for you.
- Improving your interview skills.
- Completing successful application forms.
- Training and qualification opportunities.
- Digital skills support.
- Help with self-employment; business start-up and business resilience.
If you’d like to get in touch to see how the team might be able to help you, then please email the team or call 0300 5000 926 and ask to speak to the Employment and Training team.
Resident grants
As part of our Thriving Communities strategy, we’re delighted to offer four employment and training grants for Sovereign residents to give access to training, skills and employment opportunities, whatever your work goal.
If you’re looking to start your own business, change your career, find a job or better work, here’s some information on what’s available to help you reach your goals. To apply, you need to be working with one of our Employment and Training Officers, please email the team.
We also have employment and training grants for community projects through The Good Exchange and Crowdfunder.
Find out about our resident grants
- What’s the grant for? To support you to access training and qualifications that will help you find a job or better job.
- How much is the grant for? Up to £500
- What’s the grant for? To help remove financial barriers for starting a new job or work placement, or if you’re struggling to stay in work due to a short-term financial barrier. You can also apply if you are returning to work from furlough.
- How much is the grant for? Up to £250, which can be used to fund a range of costs from travel, equipment, to work clothes.
- What’s the grant for? To help you launch or grow and develop your own business.
- How much is the grant for? Up to £1,000. Before you apply, you will need a business plan. Our Business Enterprise Officer can support you to put one together if needed.
- What is the grant for? To support you with direct childcare costs (to registered childcare providers) to either start work, a work placement or complete a training course
- How much is the grant for? Up to £750 to help cover registration and/ or direct childcare fees.
Employment and training programmes
We work with a range of partners to create, fund and deliver projects that help our communities access employment, skills and training opportunities.
Find out about our programmes
Skills 4 Work is a completely free, 1-2-1 employment support and coaching programme. It's open to Isle of Wight residents who are aged 16 and over, not in any paid work and have the right to work in the UK.
We're working with Yellow Brick Road Projects to help people develop the skills they need to get and keep a tenancy.
Run by our partner Enterprise Cube, Strive Live is an online course for Sovereign residents who are budding entrepreneurs.
I'm not in work, can you help me?
Whatever your situation, our Employment and Training team can help you by offering support with:
- Career planning, job searching, CV writing and interview techniques.
- Getting back to work if you’re unemployed.
- Advising you on how to deal with problems in your past, for example if you have a criminal record.
- Apprenticeships, training, work experience and qualifications.
- Grants that help with learning or job opportunities.
- Managing your own business and meeting the Department for Work and Pensions earning expectations.
Find out more on our jobs and training pages.
I already have a job, can the team help me find better work?
Yes, the team can also work with you to help you find better work or move your career forward. For some residents this can mean:
- Increasing their earnings through better pay or more hours.
- Finding more secure work (for example, moving away from zero hour or fixed-term contracts).
- Finding work closer to home to reduce travel costs or to fit around caring for children or family members.
- Changing to a sector where there are good career progression opportunities for higher paid or higher skilled jobs.
Business and enterprise support
More about our free support if you’d love to be self-employed or start a business. Help and advice is also available if you’re looking to grow an existing business.
Tenancy and employment support service
Get help from our tenancy support advisors on managing your money or claiming welfare benefits. We also have a free, personalised employment and training service and support.
Women's Work Lab
If you’re a mum in Bristol or Bath and have been out of work for more than a year, why not investigate this employability course with our partners - Women’s Work Lab.
Skills 4 Work
This is a free, 1-2-1 employment support and coaching programme for anyone living on the Isle of Wight aged 16 and over and not in any paid work.
Running a business from home
If you’re thinking about running a business or working from home, you need to get permission from us before you start.