Helping You Back to Work

Find out about opportunities for employment and training in Guildford.

Guildford Online Job Club

Following a successful one-month pilot programme we have joined with our delivery partners the Stuart Mitchell Group to launch Guildford Online Job Club as part of a wider programme to help jobseekers. Of the 12 people who took part in the pilot 5 have already returned to employment or are starting a business of their own.

Based on the original job club which started in 2009 following the 'credit crunch' recession, the workplace impact of the pandemic - including more working from home and use of Zoom technology - has led to this online version.

The online approach works well because of its blend of mutual support among members - for instance, sharing tips on how to prepare for a Zoom job interview - as well as the access to the Career Horizons learning platform and an excellent range of resources material to aid the job search. We have funded the Online Job Club until 31 March 2021 and plan to double capacity to a full year from 1 April if necessary.

We are also liaising with other local partners to co-ordinate our respective employment support offers. These include: CAP (Christians Against Poverty) Job Club, Employability, Federation of Small Businesses, GATE (Guildford Advice To Employment), Jobcentre Plus, Richmond Fellowship, Surrey Chambers of Commerce and YMCA.

If you know someone whose job has ended or who is at risk of redundancy please consider asking them to email chris.stanton@guildford.gov.uk for details of the Job Club and how to join.

Kickstart Scheme

The Kickstart Scheme provides funding to create new job placements for 16 to 24 year olds on Universal Credit who are at risk of long term unemployment. Employers of all sizes can apply for funding which covers:

100% of the National Minimum Wage (or the National Living Wage depending on the age of the participant) for 25 hours per week for a total of 6 months
associated employer National Insurance contributions
employer minimum automatic enrolment contributions

Employers can spread the start date of the job placements up until the end of December 2021.

Apprenticeships

Employers can apply for incentive payments of up to £2,000 if they hire a new apprentice before 31 January 2021. This is in addition to the £1,000 payment already given to help employers meet the needs of some groups of apprentices in the workplace and employers can spend the payment on anything to support their organisation's costs, from facilities and travel to uniforms and salaries.