Are you looking for support to get a job?
We have found that some of the programmes that help people to get a job are available everywhere in Wales. Others are just in some areas for example only in north Wales.
Some of the programmes offer support to help you to increase your skills, build a CV, prepare for and apply for jobs. You may have a mentor who will get to know you and work with you to do this. We call this Employment Support.
Some of the programmes offer Supported Employment. An expert job coach will work with you to get to know you. They will find out about your hopes for the future, your support needs, your skills, your experiences, and the jobs you would like to do. This is called vocational profiling. Your vocational profile will be used by the job coach to help you find and apply for the type of job that best matches your skills and choices. This is called job matching. If you are getting benefit payments the job coach can help you to find out if getting a paid job will change the money you receive. This is called a better off in work calculation.
A job coach will train you to do your job in your workplace. As you become more confident in doing your job, the job coach will support you less and less until you can do the job without their help. The job coach will keep in touch by phone calls and visiting your workplace to make sure everything is going well. They will help if there are any problems.
Choose the type of support that it best for you.
Apprenticeships
Apprenticeships in Wales are open to a wide range of people. They can give you a fair and equal chance to kick-start your career. There are many types of jobs in different industries available and most apprenticeships can be made accessible. You will get a full package of support, whatever your needs. Apprenticeships allow you to earn money while you learn.
You will be placed with an employer to gain hands-on work experience, learn new skills, and gain a nationally recognised qualification. You will get time to study for your qualification. As an apprentice you will work with experienced staff to develop skills needed for the job. Your employer will work with you to ensure you get tailored support to meet your needs.
There are different levels of Apprenticeships qualifications, starting with a Foundation Level 2 qualification and going up to a Degree Level 6.
If you are disabled, have a learning disability and/or autism you can get expert job coach support to help you to prepare for an apprenticeship. This support will continue throughout your apprenticeship. In mid to south Wales it is provided by ELITE supported employment agency. In mid to north Wales, it is provided by Agoriad Cyf.
https://workingwales.gov.wales/change-your-story/apprenticeships
AutonoMe
AutonoMe is a Social Enterprise working to unlock the potential of neurodiverse people and those with learning disabilities in their employment and independent living aspirations.
Personalised one to one support is provided by a dedicated job coach together with employment related instructional videos accessed by the AuonoMe app. The support helps people to develop skills and overcome barriers to getting and keeping a paid job.
AutonoMe employment works both as a standalone programme and as a compliment to existing employment pathways, programmes and services.
https://autono.me.uk/employment
Communities for Work Plus
Communities for Work+ provides specialist employment advisory support and intensive mentoring. It offers help, support, guidance and training to help you find a job. You must be 20 years old and over, living in Wales and not in education, employment or training and have a complex barrier to employment.
You will have your own mentor who will find out what help you need and will agree next steps. Support can be provided to help build your confidence, gain some work experience, learn new skills or re-write your CV.
Disability Employment Advisor (DEA)
Advisors who provide specialised support and guidance for people with disabilities seeking employment across Wales.
DWP Local Supported Employment
Provides tailored support for individuals with disabilities to find and maintain employment.
www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department-for-work-pensions
DFN Project SEARCH
(multiple programs across Wales)
A work-based supported internship program aimed at young people with learning disabilities, offering various programs across Wales. For information on programs local to you, take a look at the relevant areas in North and South Wales below.
Hft
A national charity offering supported employment to individuals with learning disabilities, helping them gain and maintain employment across Wales.
Jobs Growth Wales+
This is a learning programme for young people aged 16-19 who are not in full time education, training, or employment. It is a very flexible programme that is designed around you.
You will learn new skills, get qualifications, and will be able to try out jobs you might be interested in. You will be paid a training allowance
while you are learning and a real wage when you get employment. Your employer will support you to develop your skills and knowledge further. You can get support in your workplace from an expert job coach if you need it.
In mid to south Wales this is provided by ELITE supported
employment agency. In mid to north Wales this is provided by Agoriad
Cyf.
Social Firms Wales
This organisation supports the development of social enterprises to employ people with disabilities across Wales. It also supports people to become self-employed.
Supported internship
A supported internship is a work programme of up to 1 year for young
people with a learning difficulty, learning disability and/or autism, who are aged 16-24.
You learn work skills that will help you to get a job. You have to be in full-
time education at a school or college and must want to get a job. Work
placements are part of the course, so you do not get paid.
Some of the learning will take place in your school or college but most of
the learning is done in the workplace. The employer gives you work
experience, you are trained to do a job role and learn the skills needed
for work. You may be offered a job by the employer when your internship
has finished. You are supported in the workplace by an expert job
coach.
If you are placed with a big employer like a hospital or local council, you
may be able to try 2 or 3 different jobs during the year to help you find
the best one for you.
In colleges in Wales a supported internship is Pathway 4 of the
Independent Living Skills course. If you are interested in an internship
you can ask your local college.
Working on Wellbeing Wales
Working on Wellbeing is a programme that offers support and training to people who live with a range of disabilities and those with long-term health conditions. This includes people with learning disabilities and/or autism.
You have to be aged 16 years and older, live in Wales and be unemployed.
The support offered is one to one and includes help to build your skills, help with writing a CV, interview preparation, and getting a job.
LitC deliver Starting Line, a 7 week pre-employment course to help customers access inclusive opportunities.
ValePlus
They provide employment and social development for people with learning disabilities and autism.
Into Work Local Supported Employment Service
Offers employment support tailored to individuals with learning disabilities and other barriers to work in the Vale of Glamorgan.
https://www.valeofglamorgan.gov.uk/en/living/Cost-of-Living/Help-with-employment.aspx
Supported Employment Mentors
Provides mentoring and employment support to help individuals with disabilities find and maintain jobs.
Community Support Team, Islwyn Catering, and Islwyn Coffee Shop
Provides employment opportunities and training within the catering and hospitality sectors for people with disabilities in Caerphilly.
Coleg Gwent FEI Supported Internships
A supported internship program aimed at providing job skills and experience to young people with learning disabilities.
Employability Bridgend
Provides job support and training for individuals facing barriers to employment in the Bridgend area.
Cardiff People First
A self-advocacy organisation supporting individuals with learning disabilities in finding and sustaining employment.
DFN Project SEARCH
(Cardiff and Vale University Health Board, Amazon Swansea, Prince Charles Hospital)
Offers job training and placements for young people with disabilities in healthcare and retail sectors.
ELITE Supported Shared Apprenticeships
(Rhondda Cynon Taff)
A supported apprenticeship scheme for people with learning disabilities in Rhondda Cynon Taff.
Apprenticeships
Apprenticeships in Wales are open to a wide range of people. They can give you a fair and equal chance to kick-start your career. There are many types of jobs in different industries available and most apprenticeships can be made accessible. You will get a full package of support, whatever your needs. Apprenticeships allow you to earn money while you learn.
You will be placed with an employer to gain hands-on work experience, learn new skills, and gain a nationally recognised qualification. You will get time to study for your qualification. As an apprentice you will work with experienced staff to develop skills needed for the job. Your employer will work with you to ensure you get tailored support to meet your needs.
There are different levels of Apprenticeships qualifications, starting with a Foundation Level 2 qualification and going up to a Degree Level 6.
If you are disabled, have a learning disability and/or autism you can get expert job coach support to help you to prepare for an apprenticeship. This support will continue throughout your apprenticeship. In mid to south Wales it is provided by ELITE supported employment agency. In mid to north Wales, it is provided by Agoriad Cyf.
https://workingwales.gov.wales/change-your-story/apprenticeships
North Wales Supported Employment Project
Provides support to individuals with disabilities to gain and maintain employment. Focuses on personalised job coaching and workplace adjustments.
DFN Project SEARCH
(multiple programs including Asda Queensferry, ClwydAlyn, and Flintshire County Council & Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board)
A work-based training program designed for young people with learning disabilities and autism. Includes various local employer partners.
Project SEARCH – Asda Queensferry
A specific branch of Project SEARCH focusing on providing work placements within Asda for young people with disabilities.
Gateway – Supported Internships
(available in Northop)
Supports young people with learning disabilities and autism in gaining workplace skills through internship opportunities.
www.flintshire.gov.uk
Working Denbighshire
A supported employment service providing job coaching and workplace integration services in Denbighshire.
https://www.denbighshire.gov.uk/en/home.aspx
Pembrokeshire College Supported Internship Programme
(Pembrokeshire)
Provides internship opportunities to young people with learning disabilities in Pembrokeshire.
Pembrokeshire Supported Employment Programme
(Pembrokeshire)
Offers tailored employment support for individuals with disabilities across Pembrokeshire.
https://www.pembrokeshire.gov.uk/