Further education and employment

We know that many young people have dreams and aspirations for the future.

Further education can be a great way to learn new skills and offers ideas about a variety of career options.

People with a disability also have a right to work. Employment can bring many benefits to a person life including financial independence, improved wellbeing, increased confidence, and social inclusion.

It is important to get information about all the different opportunities available to help you make the right choice for you and maximise your potential.

Pathways

• Supported Internship (external link) - are an education offer for young people young people aged 16 to 24 with an Education, Health, and Care Plan (EHCP), who want to move into paid employment and need extra support to do so. Supported Internships are work-based learning placements within mainstream employment settings. The aim is to secure a job at the end of the placement. Placements should last over six months and are normally at least 20 hours per week
• Apprenticeships - are an employment offer that includes studying for a formal qualification. Apprentices will be employed by a company, receiving practical ‘on the job’ training to develop job-specific skills. At the same time, you will also study towards nationally recognised qualifications, supporting by a learning provider. There are various levels of apprenticeships available, each given a different level of qualification, but all are paid roles
• Traineeship resources (external link) - are a great option for young people aged between 16 and 24 (or 25 for individuals with an education and health care plan), who don’t have the skills or experience to take on a job or apprenticeship.  Traineeships act as a skills development programme, where you complete an unpaid work placement alongside a training course. They can last from 6 weeks up to 1 year (although most last up to 6 months) and are designed to help prepare you for work or an apprenticeship
• T Levels - are an alternative to A levels, apprenticeships and other 16 to 19 courses. Equivalent in size to 3 A levels, a T Level focuses on vocational skills and can help students into skilled employment, higher study, or apprenticeships. Each student will spend 80% of the course in college and the other 20% in an industry workplace.

Colleges and training providers

The council are working with young people, parents and carers, colleges, training providers and employers to develop pathways and appropriate provision to meet the needs of young people with SEND.

Visit colleges, sixth forms and training providers for more information.

Services

• Wigan Council Aspiring Futures - is the employment and skills service for young people aged 16-19 (and up to 25 for those with learning difficulties and disabilities) in Wigan borough. We offer support to those who are not in employment, education, or training, helping them make a decision on what they want to do and find opportunities
• Preparing for Adulthood Life Coach Service - supports young people aged 14-25, identified through school. We work with young people to support development of skills in the four areas of preparing for adulthood: independence, health and wellbeing, community, and employment. We will support young people to achieve their dreams and aspirations, and support families to navigate services
• Wigan Council Supported Employment Service- offers a comprehensive package of advice, guidance, and support to both the employer and prospective employee. This includes accurately matching the right person to the right job, conducting employee specific risk assessments in the workplace, practical one to one support and, where required, specialised instruction for the employee to be trained to carry out the tasks of the job to meet the expectations of the employer
• Department of Work and Pensions (external link) - Disability Advisors and Work Coaches - If you have a health condition or a disability that affects your ability to work, you can get assistance and advice on returning to the workplace by speaking to a Work Coach at your local Jobcentre Plus. A Work Coach is trained to be able to help you to find work or to gain new skills for a job. They can help with work preparation, recruitment, interview coaching and even confidence building
• The National Careers Service (external link) - provides support to help you explore your career options. Qualified Career Advisers offer telephone appointments tailored to suit your personal circumstances and can cover the following:
  • • Redundancy
    • Securing employment
    • Upskilling and training
    • CV writing and interview techniques
    • Returning to work after a break
    • Flexible working for parents
    • Graduate opportunities
    • IT, Maths and English skills.
• Wigan Borough Volunteering Hub (external link) - Volunteering is one of the most rewarding things you can do and thinking about how you would like to benefit from volunteering is a great start to finding the opportunity right for you. The benefits include:
  • • improved physical and mental health.
    • opportunity to make new friends.
    • avoiding loneliness
    • feel a sense of purpose.
    • develop deeper self-confidence and skills.

Key definitions of employment 

• Paid employment -Activity whereby an individual is paid a wage for work undertaken. This would include being employed by a business and being self-employed
• Work experience - A short-term, voluntary / unpaid experience within a work-based setting. Typically, this would be no longer than 3 weeks
• Work placement -A voluntary / unpaid experience for longer period, with a set start and end date. Typically, this would be 4 weeks or longer
• Volunteering -Taking part in activity without pay or reward (may include expenses being paid). Is undertaken of free will and often is of benefit to community and volunteer
• Independent travel and living -Independent travel and living skills support young people with being able to access public transport, make their own decisions about how they live, what they want to achieve, and open different opportunities. Learning life skills can help young people become more independent as they grow up
• Employment skills - Any skill that can be developed to enhance opportunities for employment or increase the likelihood of gaining employment. E.g., communication, confidence, emotional resilience, as well as more specific skills such as CV writing and interview techniques.