How to improve your employability skills
Searching for a job involves more than just sending your CV to employers. You also need to make sure you’re a good fit for the job, can sell yourself to the hiring manager, and are well-prepared to answer interview questions.
You may ask yourself:
- Do I have the right skills?
- Can I communicate effectively?
- Is my CV good enough?
- What will I be asked at an interview?
- What do I need to do to improve and get a better job
- How do I use the internet to job search?
If you are asking yourself any of these questions, we can help you.
Employment support programmes
Connect to Work
Connect to Work is a free, voluntary programme that helps people with health conditions, disabilities or other barriers to find work, stay in work and improve their wellbeing.
Good work is proven to boost mental and physical health, build confidence and independence, and support long-term recovery.
What we offer
- one-to-one support from a dedicated Employment Specialist, delivered through two evidence-based Supported Employment models:
- Individual Placement and Support (IPS)
- Supported Employment Quality Framework (SEQF)
- a personalised plan based on strengths, preferences and goals
- help approaching employers and shaping roles that fit
- guidance on benefits and workplace adjustments, with support for employers
- ongoing coaching once in work, including future career planning
- flexible meetings – at home or in the community
Who can join or be referred
- age 18+ (16 to 17 in certain circumstances, enquire for more details)
- live in the London Borough of Bexley
- motivated to work, including self-employment
- have a health condition, disability or other challenge and are unemployed or at risk of job loss
- face multiple or complex barriers to employment due to belonging to one of the following disadvantaged groups:
- ex-offenders (serving or completed custodial/community sentences)
- carers and ex-carers
- homeless individuals or those with homelessness experience
- veterans, reservists, and partners of Armed Forces personnel
- people with a history of drug or alcohol dependency
- care-experienced young people and care leavers.
- refugees, resettled Afghans, and those on the Ukrainian scheme
- victims/survivors of domestic abuse
- young people at risk of serious violence
- victims of modern slavery
How to get involved
If you are interested or know someone who may be interested in Connect to Work, please speak with your Representative, GP, JCP Work Coach or complete the Local London Initial Contact Form:
Local London Initial Contact Form
To find out more information on this, please contact us on:
- 0203 045 3800
- or email contactbbe@bexley.gov.uk
Bexley Works
Bexley Works
Our Bexley Works programme supports people who are economically inactive and who need support to help move them into sustained employment or to become economically active.
People can access support to:
- receive employment advice from an adult career’s advisor
- take part in work clubs and employability workshops
- find the right vacancies locally and outside of Bexley
- assess training needs and get help to access courses
Project does not have a structured end date, support is allocated for as long as the participants require.
To access Bexley Works, call 020 3045 3800 and ask to book on to a Welcome Workshop.
Local London – Trailblazer
Local London Trailblazer
The Local London Trailblazer programme will trial innovative approaches to support people who are economically inactive to move closer to the job market.
We will get to know you and identify your skills, support needs and job aspirations so that we can provide you with the right support to achieve your employment goals.
We will help you:
- provide training and job support
- find a job that is right for you or explore Self-employment and business start-up support
- develop your work skills and gain experience with work placements
- boost your confidence and do well at interview
- success and progress in your new job
Maximus - Work & Health Programme
Work and Health Programme (Maximus)
The Local London Work and Health Programme can help maximise your potential and find the right job for you.
We will get to know you and identify your skills, support needs and goals.
We will help you:
- improve your health and wellbeing
- develop your work skills and gain experience
- boost your confidence and do well at interview
- find a job that is right for you or explore self-employment
- success and progress in your new job
You can get support if you are of working age and live in Bexley, Barking & Dagenham, Bromley, Enfield, Greenwich, Havering, Newham, Redbridge, or Waltham Forest and are:
- disabled and have a health condition or dependency on drugs or alcohol
- unemployed for two years or more
- a veteran, in the reserves or a member of the Armed Forces
- an offender or ex-offender
- a carer, ex-carer, or care leaver
- a victim of domestic violence, homeless or a refugee
- a young person involved in gangs
A typical programme duration for its participants is 15 Months
Maximus – Work & Health Programme Pioneer
Local London Work and Health Programme Pioneer (Maximus)
Need help finding work? Local London Work and Health Programme Pioneer provides specialist employment support for people in London who are not in work.
We can help you:
- create a CV
- be more confident
- learn new skills
- find a new job or self-employment
A typical programme duration for its participants is 15 Months
Eligibility criteria apply. WHP Pioneer is the latest phase of Universal Support. It is
delivered by Maximus for Local London, on behalf of the Department for Work and Pensions.
Maximus – Restart Scheme
Restart Scheme (Maximus)
The Restart Scheme, delivered on behalf of the Department for Work and Pensions, gives tailored support to help people re-enter the workforce. To be eligible for the Restart Scheme, you must have been claiming Universal Credit or Jobseeker’s allowance for six months or more and currently be in the Intensive Work Search Regime.
As well as employment support, we help people to access accredited training, mental health services, drug and alcohol support, debt advice, and housing support.
A typical programme duration for its participants is 12 Months.
Bexley Twofold - Supported Employment
Bexley Twofold is the job search, training, and supported employment service for residents in Bexley, with learning disabilities who have a need for support to access training and employment opportunities.
Our aim is to help service users find and sustain paid employment.
We help people over the age of 18 and create an individual journey for each service user and will amend support to suit the needs of the individual.
Programme does not have a structured end date, support is allocated for as long as participants require.
CareerActive - Bexley Libraries
Whether you’re looking for your first job, planning a change of career or returning to work after a break, CareerActive will give you access to brilliant advice and information, accessible 24/7 over the internet, free with your Bexley Library card.
CareerActive, packed with interactive tools and e-learning content can help you find a job and keep a job.
- Quick and convenient (available 24/7)
- Structured with key actions and links to related content
- Updated videos from employers and recruiters
- CV builder and interview simulator
- eLearning resources including coaching hub
- Career Pathways videos on different job types
Getting to grips with the essentials
Application forms and how to complete them
Job interview preparation
How do I register with BBE?
There are several ways you can register with our employment service, phone 020 3045 3800, register now or email contactBBE@bexley.gov.uk
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