Cost of Living Support
Employment and skills
Our aim is to help people into work, improve their skills and qualifications, increase their opportunities to earn more and to move into a new career by accessing new growth sectors.
NEWS: FREE Health & Social Care Careers Fair
Thursday 30th May at The Guildhall
Learn more about the opportunities available at one of the THREE one-hour sessions at 11am, 12 noon and 1pm.
You can book your free slot on the Eventbrite website.
Kingston Council Job Opportunities
If you are looking to start a career with the Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames, you can find current opportunities and more about working for the Council on our jobs, careers and volunteering web page,
Green Skills
Lifelong learning opportunities mean that you can find out how to change career and take your first step to a New Green Job with our Launchpad: Green Jobs - free career coaching https://programmes.staynimble.co.uk/kingston-greenjobs
Lifelong learning
You can get new qualifications or upskill for a better job. Some courses are free or subsidised. Find opportunities at:
Kingston Adult Education to ask for help you can email adult.education@kingston.gov.uk or call 020 8547 6700
Richmond and Hillcroft Adult Community College (RHACC)
South Thames College Group (Kingston College)
Jobs and career coaching in Kingston
JobCentre Plus - If you are looking for a new job or thinking about making a change, find out about opportunities or receive support around benefit entitlements at Contact JobCentre Plus for more information on 0800 169 0190 or visit GOV.UK
Thrive Kingston Programme - free one-to-one career coaching for Kingston residents who are aged 24 - 65, receiving any benefits or earning under £30,000 a year. Book your place online.
BITC Job Coaching - provides free job coaching with experienced industry professionals for unemployed residents. Participants receive 1:1 advice from a coach with first-hand experience securing a job and working for a leading UK business.
Work Routes is a new free service designed to help unemployed residents gain access to expert support to explore finding a job. Delivered by Reed in Partnership, you can also access a wide range of training, wellbeing and financial support.
You can sign yourself up via the Work Routes website. If you are a community organisation supporting someone to find a job or access support you can refer them online at https://workroutes.co.uk/refer-someone/
Room for Work courses are free and can help you to improve your career skills, when you want to return to work, or if you've been away from the workplace for some time. Delivered in small groups and aimed at over 45-year-olds with previous work experience.
Register here to join for 12 session course each Thursday, 10am-12.30pm, 18 April to 4 July 2024.
Numeracy skills
The National Numeracy Challenge aims to improve how people understand and work with numbers in day to day life and empower everyone in the UK to have the numeracy skills that allow them to fulfil their potential at work, home and school.
You can sign up through Kingston’s National Numeracy Partnership online at www.nationalnumeracy.org.uk/challenge/kcsedq
Kingston Adult Education Adult Maths Support provides free courses for adults find out more on our website www.kingston.gov.uk/directory/15/kingston-adult-education-course-directory/category/38
National support
Jobhelp Campaign - If you are looking for a new job or thinking about making a change, answer a few short questions to get personalised support, tips and advice.
National Careers Service - Provides careers advice and support for adults in England – in the community (Kingston JobCentre Plus), online and on the phone via 0800 100 900.
Also search for online and classroom courses near you, to help you get a job or develop skills employers are looking for at National Careers Service Find a Course .
Open University via Open Learn - Free digital skills, careers advice and CV templates from the Open University’s Open Door to Success portal.
LinkedIn via Microsoft - LinkedIn's community and resources can help you discover new career paths, learn relevant skills, find jobs that are in-demand and stand out to recruiters.
Skills for Life - Free courses and qualifications to help adults (19+) gain skills for life and work.
Help to get online
Kingston’s libraries offer free access to PCs and also have free wifi where you can get online and access information. You will find your local library and opening times on the Libraries website.
Kingston Adult Education - provides a wide range of courses including FREE digital skills courses.
Support and advice for businesses
To find support and advice for businesses and the cost for doing business, visit our dedicated webpages