Employment 16+

Our work experience programme is officially open so whatever career you are interested in, we will do our very best to find a suitable placement for you.

At Wiltshire Council we recognise that high quality work placements provide individuals with the opportunity to learn new skills, build contacts and experience what it is like working in a real job.

Our aim is to help you make informed choices about your career and give you the chance to make a real contribution to helping our communities.

During your placement we will also help you develop the soft skills, attitudes and behaviours expected in the workplace.

To learn more visit:

Work experience at Wiltshire Council (opens new window)

Volunteering can be a great way to develop new skills and gain work experience while playing a vital role in the community.

To learn more about what options might be available in Wiltshire visit:

Volunteering

Wiltshire Supported internships are a partnership between Wiltshire College and Wiltshire Council.  They are individualised study programmes offered by the college and supported by Wiltshire Employment Support Team job coaches. They help young people gain practical experience and work skills to give them a realistic chance of getting paid employment.

For more information visit: 

Supported Internship information

Apprenticeships combine practical training in a job with study. Apprenticeships take 1 to 4 years to complete depending on their level.

As an apprentice you will:

• work alongside experienced staff
• gain job-specific skills
• earn a wage and get holiday pay
• study towards a related qualification (usually one day a week)

For more information visit: 

Apprenticeship

Swindon and Wiltshire job search (opens new window)

There are many places jobs are advertised to the public when they are available:

• Hand your CV in at local employers
• listed in local newspapers
• Company websites (opens new window)
• word of mouth
• recruitment agency's
• online job listing sites like Indeed (opens new window)
• GOV.UK also has a national job list site (opens new window), which includes a disability confident search option
• some of our SEND supporting partners also share important work opportunities like the Wiltshire Centre for Independent Living personal assistant register (opens new window)

When writing your CV and cover letters to apply for a job there is a handy guide you can read by visiting How to write a CV | National Careers Service. There is also further reading to support applications to work in Wiltshire on the jobs and careers page (opens new window).

Wiltshire Council also has a job listings site and is one of the larger employers across the County. To find out what jobs are available visit: Jobs Wiltshire Council (opens new window)

The Swindon and Wiltshire Careers Hub, within the School Effectiveness team, has launched a new careers' platform for home-educating families. It contains advice and support available for those with additional needs, helping people take their next steps in further education, training or employment.

Home Education Futures: Health and wellbeing (Overview) (opens new window)

Jobcentre Plus

Jobcentre Plus is a claims support service for benefits like Employment Support Allowance, Income Support, Universal Credit or Jobseekers allowance.

For more information visit:

Contact Jobcentre Plus (opens new window)

Access to Work can help you get or stay in work if you have a physical or mental health condition or disability.

The support you get will depend on your needs. Through Access to Work, you can apply for:

• a grant to help pay for practical support with your work
• support with managing your mental health at work
• money to pay for communication support at job interview

Access to work (opens new window)

Further information about funding support that may be available can be found by visiting:

Grants and Funding

The National Careers Service can offer support and guidance in all aspects of employment and learning including:

• career progression
• education and funding options
• training and funding options
• redundancy support
• self-employment
• interview training
• disclosure and resettlement advice
• online profiles and Social media
• job application
• job searching
• labour Market Information
• apprenticeships
• reviewing CV's

National Careers Service - home page (opens new window)

If you're out of work, Restart scheme will help you build your confidence, skills and move back into work.

A personal employment advisor will work closely with you, creating a tailored plan to help you reach your work and life goals, including:

• 1:1 coaching, advice and guidance
• Job search, CVs and interviews
• Support to enhance your health and wellbeing
• Priority access to local services, such as Citizens Advice
• Meeting local and national employers

For more information visit: 

Seetec Pluss: Restart Scheme (opens new window)

In preparation for adulthood, it is expected that the majority of young people beyond the age of 16 will travel independently to their place of work. There will be a small number who, after travel training, require further assistance. A travel scheme called Access To Work is available, for more information on this you can visit the government website: Access to work (opens new window)

For more information about transport support visit:

Travel 16+