Employment and training

Apprenticeships and Traineeships

Information for young people on apprenticeships and traineeships can be found on further education-skills on GOV UK. You can also search for local vacancies. 

Apprenticeships are open to all young people, dependent on their skills and qualifications. Traineeships provide extra support for 16-24 year olds who need extra help to prepare for an apprenticeship or work.  Your school or college will be able to provide more information on apprenticeships and traineeships.

Supported Internships

Supported Internships are for 16-24 year olds with learning difficulties or disabilities. They combine experience of work and qualifications in a personalised programme. To be eligible young people must have a Statement of Special Educational Needs, a Learning Difficulty Assessment, or an Education Health and Care  Plan (EHC Plan). In Cambridgeshire, supported internships are currently offered by Cambridge Regional College at their Cambridgeshire and Huntingdon sites. College of West Anglia, City College Peterborough and Peterborough Regional College also offer some.

Employment

The pathway to employment is a key part to preparing for adulthood. Engaging in work has shown to improve self confidence, health, and community engagement.

• Vacancies for adults are advertised on Universal Job Match on GOV UK website and on a range of local and national job seeking sites.  
• If you are over 18 and have a disability, your local Jobcentre Plus can offer advice and information on finding a job and the range of programmes and funding that may be available. 

Job coach support

The 14-25 Additional Needs Team has two job coaches covering North and South Cambridgeshire. Job coaches work with young people with additional needs to:

• Support them in gaining work experience
• Help them apply for and gain supported employment
• Offer careers guidance

Our job coaches work with employers and young people to create work opportunities.

• Create vocational profiles that match a young person’s skills, knowledge, and aspirations
• Give guidance on work placements, internships, work experience, application training and careers guidance
• Provide 1:1 support for young people who are not in education, employment or training (NEET)
• Support in work: breaking down tasks, risk assessments and reasonable adjustments

Contact your local job coach

North Cambridgeshire Job Coach - Genevieve.Ray@cambridgeshire.gov.uk

South Cambridgeshire Job Coach - Megan.boddington@cambridgeshire.gov.uk

Further employment information and resources

• An Access to Work grant can pay for practical support if you have a disability, health or mental health condition to help you start working, stay in work or start a business.
• Work Choice is a voluntary programme that helps disabled people to find, get and keep a job. The type of support you can get depends on your needs for example training and developing skills, building confidence and interview skills.
• Advice to help young disabled people find work on GOV UK.
• Mencap - A charity that supports and advocates for people with learning disabilities
• Preparing for adulthood - Information for Cambridgeshire families
• SENDIASS offers impartial information and advice for families who have a child with special educational needs or emerging needs.

Virtual Employment event for people with additional needs