Work and Training
Work isn’t just about earning money – it’s about learning, meeting people, gaining confidence, creating new opportunities, finding about life, contributing to the local community or the world we live in. It’s an adventure!
Here maybe a few things you may have questions about:
- training and apprenticeships
- getting a job
- how to write a great CV
- rights at work
- Getting to work
- Working with a disability
- working while at school
- working abroad
Some of us know exactly what we want to be, and some of us have no idea. Some of us start a job and then realise that we would like to do something totally different. Some of us have to stop work for a while, and then wonder how to get back into the workplace.
You cannot start full time work until you reach the official school leaving age of 16. You can do some paid for work, such as a paper round, when you are 13, but you need to check the laws and the local regulations first.
Doing voluntary work is a good way of gaining experience, getting involved in something you enjoy or believe in, and even travelling the world.
If you have commitments that limit the number of hours or the times you can work, then you still have job options. If you have a disability, then there is help available so that you can take your place in the workplace. If you are a budding Richard Branson, then there is plenty of advice and support to get you started.
Training & Apprenticeships
Training
Whether you’re looking for a job or looking to get on in your career, improving your skills for work can open up new opportunities. There’s a huge range of courses available. Some are free, and you may qualify for financial help. There’s also plenty of free advice to help you decide what’s right for you.
Whatever stage you’re at in life, learning new skills could improve your career prospects. Here are some local contacts to help you on your way.
Wrexham ITeC
Wrexham ITeC, which is part of Wrexham County Borough Council offer placements and training in a range of IT, business and administration and customer service jobs and trainee-ships.
Wrexham ITeC
Unit 19
Whitegate Industrial Estate
Wrexham
LL13 8UG
01978 367100
01978 367111
wrexhamitec@wrexham.gov.uk
Yale College
Yale College is a tertiary college, providing education and training for most post 16 year olds in the area and many part time short courses.
Yale College
Grove Park Road
Wrexham
LL12 7AB
01978 311794
Text Phone: 01978 316489 (for those with hearing difficulties)
admissions@yale-wrexham.ac.uk
Drome
Drome offers free day time courses in Wrexham for adults who want to get back into education, training or employment, develop new skills, find new interests, or who want to find out about other opportunities and explore new directions.
Drome
Yale College
Grove Park Road
Wrexham
LL12 7AB
01978 311794
Text Phone: 01978 316489 (for those with hearing difficulties)
emr@yale-wrexham.ac.uk
Apprenticeships
If you’ve got a good idea of where you want to go with your career and like the idea of earning while you learn, an Apprenticeship could be for you. It guarantees you training, but lets you develop skills and gain qualifications whilst you are working.
Apprenticeship – Earn while you learn
To give yourself the best chance of success in your career, you’ll need to carry on developing your skills throughout your working life. Apprenticeships give you the chance to learn – and gain nationally recognised qualifications – while getting a weekly wage.
Apprenticeships available include caring, business administration, construction, engineering, manufacturing and many more.
Is an Apprenticeship right for you?
First you’ll need to decide what kind of work you want to do. Next, you’ll have to think if you can commit to an Apprenticeship. This means juggling work and study long-term – a period of one to five years.
Who Can Apply
There are no fixed entry requirements for most Apprenticeships. However you will usually need four or five GCSEs at grade C or above.
To help you find an apprenticeship that’s right for you here are some local contacts:
Careers North East Wales
Careers Wales provides impartial careers information, advice and guidance to people of all ages in schools and through their Careers Shop in Wrexham.
Careers Shop Wrexham
Egerton House
Rhosddu Road
Wrexham
LL11 1EQ
01978 317015
enquiries@cwne.org
Jobcentre Plus
Jobcentre Plus is a government agency supporting people of working age. It provides help and advice on jobs and training for people who can work and financial help for those who cannot.
Jobcentre Plus
Ty Maelor
15 – 17 Grosvenor Road
Wrexham
LL11 1BW
01978 316500
Youth Gateway
If you are looking for a job, college or training course, and you need help, Youth Gateway can help you. Youth Gateway is a service run by Careers Wales for young people.
Youth Gateway
Careers Shop Wrexham
Egerton House
Rhosddu Road
Wrexham
LL11 1EQ
01978 317015
enquiries@cwne.org
Getting a Job
Choosing a career path after finishing education means thinking a lot more about the job itself. Jobs are more flexible than ever and a typical working day is a thing of the past.
Starting at 9.00 am, finishing at 5.00 pm with an hour for lunch somewhere in the middle may still be considered a working day, but for more and more people it’s not a reality. Some jobs, like nursing or manufacturing depend on using shift patterns, meaning working during the night and early morning.
Some jobs will be outside, some will be in an office, some will be in a workshop or industrial environment and some will be more physically demanding than others.
When you’re applying for a job or planning a career, it may be worth thinking about what sort of environment you work best in and whether you have other commitments or responsibilities that could prevent you from having different working hours. This will make sure that your working schedule fits in with the rest of your life.
Here are some local contact details to help you find work:
Careers North East Wales
Careers Wales provides impartial careers information, advice and guidance to people of all ages in schools and through their Careers Shop in Wrexham.
Careers Shop Wrexham
Egerton House
Rhosddu Road
Wrexham
LL11 1EQ
01978 317015
enquiries@cwne.org
Jobcentre Plus
Jobcentre Plus is a government agency supporting people of working age. It provides help and advice on jobs and training for people who can work and financial help for those who cannot.
Jobcentre Plus
Ty Maelor
15 -17 Grosvenor Road
Wrexham
LL11 1BW
01978 316500
How to write a great CV
Employers will use your curriculum vitae (CV) to decide whether you're suitable for a job vacancy. It’s a record of your qualifications and skills, so make sure it’s up to date whenever you apply for a new job.
Employers choose who they want to interview from what information is on your CV, so it’s really important that it’s easy to understand and shows off your good points.
Spelling mistakes, poor grammar and missing information on a CV look really bad and if it is incomplete, employers may simply throw it in the bin.
There’s no right or wrong way to set out a CV, but there are some standard headings that they should contain. These are:
- personal and contact information
- education and qualifications
- work history
- skills relevant to the job
- interests
- references
References should be from people you have worked with for example a manager. They are usually your last two employers, but if you haven’t worked before, you can use a teacher or a tutor from school or college.
When you’re describing your interests, highlight the things that show off the skills that employers look for. Some really good things to include are:
- any examples of working in a team
- relevant voluntary work or work experience
- positions of responsibility
- any activity that shows off using initiative
Keep your CV to a maximum of two sides of A4 paper. Employers receive a lot of CVs, so it’s unlikely that they will read each one from start to finish. In fact, most will make a judgment about a CV after a few seconds, so keep it as short as possible.
Finally, be honest. If you lie about your level of experience or the skills that you have and your employer finds out, you could face the sack.
Please find an example of a CV here to help you create one of your own.
Rights at Work
Are you thinking of getting a job? Are you already working? If you are employed and under 18, there are certain restrictions on what work you can actually do, where you can do it and for how long each week.
For more information please visit ACAS.
Getting to Work
Travelling to and from work can be difficult so it is important to look at the transport in your area for example trains, buses and car pooling.
If you live in Wrexham County Borough and are aged 16 to 18 years, you will be entitled to a pass which will allow you a discount of approx. 25% on most local bus services. You can download the form by clicking here.
Working Whilst at School
Once you reach the age of 13, you can only do light work. This means that you cannot do any job that can affect your health and safety or may interfere with your education.
There are some extra rules about the employment of children under 14. If you are under 14, you are not allowed to work at all except in the following types of work:
- to take part in sport, advertising, modelling, plays, films, television or other entertainment. The employer must apply for a license from the local authority
- to do odd jobs for a parent, relative or neighbour
- to do babysitting
However, children of 13 or above may be able to do some other types of work, depending on the by-laws of the local authority in their area. To find out information on these by-laws call your local Educational Social Worker on 01978 297523.
| To take up part time employment you must be 13 YEARS OF AGE OR OVER If you are 13 (but under 15) your employment should not be over |
If you are seeking employment and are 15 YEARS OF AGE and not reached the school leaving age (16) |
|---|---|
Morning A maximum of 1 hour between 7.00 am and starting school. Evening A maximum of 2 hours between finishing school and 7.00pm (you can only work 1 hour is you have worked in the morning before school). Saturdays or School Holidays A maximum of 5 hours per day. Sunday A maximum of 2 hours Weekly Maximum Term Time – 12 hours Other Conditions No more than 4 hours continuously |
Morning A maximum of 1 hour between 7.00am and starting school. Evening A maximum of 2 hours between finishing school and 7.00pm (you can only work 1 hour is you have worked in the morning before school) Saturdays or School Holidays A maximum of 5 hours per day. Sunday A maximum of 2 hours Weekly Maximum Term Time – 12 hours Other Conditions No more than 4 hours continuously |
All children should have at least two consecutive weeks without employment in the school holidays at some point during the year.
These restrictions last until you become 16 and have left school, when you become classed as a young worker. This means that you'll have more choice in the jobs you can do. If you are 18 or over, you get the same work rights as adults.
If you wish to work must obtain a Work Permit from the Local Authority. Application forms are available from the Employment of School Children Officer as well as Performance Licenses. This is part of the Education Social Work Services based at Children & Young People Services, 16 Lord Street, Wrexham LL11 1LG. Or download one from here.
Working Abroad
Working abroad can be a new and exciting venture. Living and working in another country, enjoying the different culture and people can be a life changing experience.
If this is something you have thought about here are a few links to provide you with more information to help you on your way.
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/BritonsLivingAbroad/EducationAndJobs/DG_4014676
http://www.jobseekersadvice.com/main/working_abroad.htm
Local Contacts
Youth Choices
Support, advice and guidance for young people. One to one or group sessions. Outreach and drop-in service.
Youth Choices
NACRO Wrexham
35 Chester Street
Wrexham
LL13 8AH
01978 314313
Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB)
The CAB offers practical, reliable, up-to-date information on a wide range of topics including benefits, housing, employment, debt, consumer and legal issues. Visit their website or phone to make an appointment at a local office.
9.30am – 2.00pm Monday/Tuesday/Wednesday/Friday
Citizens Advice Bureau
35 Grosvenor Road
Wrexham
LL11 1BT
01978 364639
Prince’s Trust
A UK charity that helps young people overcome barriers and get their lives working. Through practical support including training, mentoring and financial assistance, the Prince’s Trust helps 14–30 year olds realise their potential and transform their lives. Its efforts are focused on those who've struggled at school, been in care, been in trouble with the law, or are long-term unemployed.
Prince's Trust
Yale College
Grove Park Road
Wrexham
LL12 7AB
Businessline
For information on all aspects of setting up your own business in the Wrexham area.
Businessline
Wrexham Library
Rhosddu Road
Wrexham
LL11 1AU
01978 292092
National Contacts
ACAS
ACAS aims to improve organisations and working life through better employment relations. They provide up-to-date information, independent advice, high quality training and work with employers and employees to solve problems and improve performance.
ACAS
Purbeck House
Lambourne Crescent
Llanishen
Cardiff
CF14 5GJ
029 2076 2636
Helpline 08457 47 47 47
Business Support for Wales
The information service for businesses in Wales.
03000 6 03000
Shell Livewire
For information on starting and running a business. To register for a free “Start a Business Toolkit” register online at: www.shell-livewire.org