Plan for Jobs: skills, employment and support programmes for jobseekers
Information and guidance for those looking for a job
This page brings together guidance for jobs seekers so they can develop their skills, get advice on job applications, and search for opportunities. This is part of the UK Government’s Plan for Jobs to support, protect and create jobs across the UK.
Search and apply for jobs
Find a Job in England, Scotland or Wales through the government’s official job vacancy service that offers a simple and streamlined way for people to search for the latest jobs.
Find additional job opportunities through the Job Help website.
These resources can help you get guidance and support on applications, refining your CV and finding work:
- the UK Government’s Job Help website for tips on applying for jobs
- the National Careers Service available to anyone aged over 13 living in England for free and impartial information, advice and guidance to help with decisions about careers, learning and work
Find an apprenticeship
An apprenticeship combines practical training in a job with study. The UK Government is providing employers with a hiring incentive for each new apprentice they hire, with:
- £3,000 for each apprentice businesses in England take on as a new employee between 1 April and 30 September 2021
Find an apprenticeship in England, in Scotland, in Wales or in Northern Ireland
Kickstart scheme
Kickstart is a £2 billion fund which creates paid, 6-month work placements for over 200,000 young people who might be at risk of long-term unemployment. If you are 16 to 24 years old and on Universal Credit in England, Scotland or Wales, ask your Work Coach about getting a Kickstart placement.
Learn new skills
There are a number of different routes available to you to learn new skills.
Find a traineeship
Find a traineeship in England, a skills development programme for people of all ages that includes a work placement and gets you ready for an apprenticeship or job.
Learn online for free
Learn online for free with The Skills Toolkit, where you can access more than 70 high-quality courses in digital, numeracy and employability skills, packaged up with support from some of the country’s leading educational experts and employers.
Get a free Level 3 qualification
If you are 19 or over and don’t yet have A levels or equivalent you can now take your first Level 3 qualification for free. There are hundreds of free courses available linking to jobs in sectors such as building and construction, health and social care, accounting, engineering, environmental conservation and more.
Take short, flexible courses
Skills Bootcamps offer flexible courses of up to 16 weeks, giving people the opportunity to build up sector-specific digital and technical skills and fast-track to an interview with a local employer. They are being developed by the government as part of the Lifetime Skills Guarantee, in partnership with employers, providers and local authorities, and are currently available for adults aged 19 and above.
Find sector-based work experience
Contact your local Jobcentre Plus to see if you are eligible for a placement through the sector-based work academy programme. This programme offers pre-employment training, a work experience placement and a guaranteed job interview to all those who complete the first two elements.
If you have been made redundant or unemployed, or do not have any work
If you have been made redundant or unemployed, or do not have any work, these resources might help you.
The Job Entry Targeted Support Scheme
The Job Entry Targeted Support scheme is providing six months of personalised support for people who have been unable to find work within the first 3 months of unemployment.
Restart Scheme
The Restart Scheme gives Universal Credit claimants who have been out of work for at least 9 months enhanced support to find jobs in their local area.
Get support from a work coach
The UK Government is doubling the number of work coaches available to help people get back into to work. Work coaches use their experience of the jobs market to help you find opportunities that match your skills, which could include types of work you’ve never considered before. Get support from your work coach.
Get financial help if your employment is affected by coronavirus
If you’ve lost your job during the coronavirus outbreak or are at risk of redundancy, the Employment and Benefits Support site tells you what financial help you can get.
It also has all the latest information on what you need to know about claiming benefits during coronavirus crisis, including information on:
- making a claim
- self-employment
- how furlough affects benefits