Local people who need help to access skills, training and career support, to help them enter the world of work, upskill, or progress in their careers will benefit from a new in-person and online a new service launched this week in South Gloucestershire.
A team of friendly Skills Connect advisors are available in-person to anyone over 18 who needs help in becoming more employable, or who are experiencing barriers that may be preventing them from accessing services. A range of online resources are also available as part of the service.
The new South Gloucestershire service is part of the wider Skills Connect service funded by the West of England Combined Authority, which was created with the aim of making it easier for people to find training and career support opportunities.
Through Skills Connect online, you can:
• Browse, find out more and sign up to a range of virtual and in-person events happening near you relating to skills, training, and career support.
• Find out more about starting an apprenticeship, including some of the sectors you could work in, average salary and what options best suit your skills and personality.
• Look at career insights to discover occupations and job roles that are in higher demand by employers, the top skills requested by them and career pathways, all informed by the latest job market information and research.
To talk to an advisor, sign up, or get more information about what Skills Connect can offer, you can visit www.skillsconnect.org.uk or call 01454 864613.
The service was launched at the South Gloucestershire Skills Hub in the Kings Chase shopping centre in Kingswood this week, when a number of local people took the opportunity to drop in and speak to a Skills Connect Employability Mentor to learn about the help available.
A number of other events are taking place over the coming weeks across the district. Skills Connect will be running pop-up sessions in libraries:
• Kingswood Library, Friday 19 Jan 10am-12pm
• Cadbury Heath Library, Tuesday 23 Jan 10am-12pm
• Bradley Stoke Library, Thursday 25 Jan 10am-12pm
• Yate Library, Friday 26 Jan 10am-12pm
• Winterbourne Library, Tuesday 30 Jan 10am-12pm
• Thornbury Library, Wednesday 31 Jan 10am-12pm
• Hanham Library, Tuesday 6 Feb 10am-12pm
• Filton Library, Wednesday 7 Feb 10am-12pm
• Staple Hill Library, Thursday 8 Feb 10.30am-12.30pm
• Emersons Green Library, Friday 9 Feb 10am-12pm
You can also come along to our Employability and Skills Drop-ins at Yate One Stop Shop (Yate Shopping Centre, Kennedy Way, BS37 4DQ) fortnightly on Mondays from 10am to 12pm on 5 Feb, 19 Feb, 4 March or 18 March.
South Gloucestershire Council Service Director Education, Learning and Skills, Hilary Smith, said: “No matter what stage of career you’re at, there is opportunity to benefit from Skills Connect and access the advice and guidance you need to move forward, in a way to suit you.
“So often the hardest step is the first one, so if you don’t know where to start, let Skills Connect help. We can discuss the options available and offer helpful advice to set you on the path to a fulfilling future career.
“Whether you think you could make a great programmer, HGV driver, HR or marketing officer, care worker, logistics manager or engineer – or if you would simply like to find out more about career choices, Skills Connect can help set you on your new career journey.”
Skills Connect is funded and managed by the West of England Combined Authority and delivered in partnership with Bath and North East Somerset, Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire Councils. You can find out more about the service, and find relevant support available to you, on the Skills Connect website.
