Department for Work and Pensions Advice

Information on unemployment, training and debt

Unemployment

Many people might not realise the wide range of help on offer, should they lose their job. Through Jobcentre Plus, people can:

  • Search Britain’s largest database of jobs at www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk.
  • Get online tips on filling in an application form, writing a CV, preparing for an interview or registering with a recruitment agency. 
  • Access skills training to help them adapt to a changing job market.
  • Find out about the financial help available by calling JCP on 0800 055 66 88. People with impaired hearing or speech can call the text phone on 0800 023 48 88.  Lines are open Monday to Friday 8am to 6pm.
  • Have a one-to-one session with a personal advisor to draw up a personalised job search plan if they are claiming Jobseekers Allowance.

 Advice on debt

The National Debtline 0808 808 4000 provides free, confidential and independent advice on how to deal with debt and financial problems.

Lines are open from 9am to 9pm, Monday to Friday, and from 9.30am to 1pm on Saturdays or visit www.nationaldebtline.co.uk

 

Skills and Careers Advice

For learning and skills advice a good place to start is the 'In Our Hands Helpline' on 0800 011 30 30 or www.lsc.gov.uk/inourhands

Careers Advice Service: www.direct.gov.uk/careersadvice. Trained advisers are available on 0800 100 900, 8am-10pm. Bilingual advisers available for Gujarati, Punjabi, Somali, Sylheti, Urdu, Polish, French and Farsi speakers.

Nextstep offers free face-to-face advice on learning and work to people over 20 who have fewer than five GCSEs or have not yet achieved an NVQ level 2 qualification. Further information can be found at www.direct.gov.uk/nextstep

 

Connexions offers advice for young people up to 19 years of age on a wide range of topics.  More information is available at www.connexions-direct.com .

 

Major redundancies

  • Jobcentre Plus also provides support in major redundancy situations.  This is organised directly with the employer in question and the level of support varies according to the scale and impact of job losses. It might include:
  • information, advice and guidance about alternative jobs available
  • matching employees to known vacancies
  • on-site job shops and fairs
  • helping people draw-up CVs, develop or brush-up their job search skills

Where more is needed, the JCP Rapid Response Service offers:

  • a skills analysis to identify transferable skills and training needs relevant to the local labour market
  • job-focused training to help individuals develop skills needed within the local labour market
  • an action fund to address individual, more short term barriers to taking up a specific job offer, like initial travel to work expenses.

 

27 November 2008