Please see below some great upcoming events/opportunities from us and the network.
1. Jumpstart programme for NEET YP- 4th March
WLA have partnered with Brentford FC Sports Community Trust to run free employability programmes for West London NEET young people aged 16-24. The Jumpstart programme is a unique two-day employability course providing practical support to get a job. Participants will learn how to create effective CVs, cover letters, how to apply to a job and how to answer interview questions in a high-pressure environment.
What makes it different to other programmes?
• Jumpstart open doors to apprenticeships, work experience and paid roles with top employers like British Airways, BP, and Brentford FC CST.
• It's designed to be able to complement existing programmes that YP are already engaging in.
• Alumni gain:
o priority access to exclusive insight days (SEGA, Sky, Premier League)
o fast track hiring sessions (e.g., Nando’s on the spot interviews)
o employer opportunities through partners including Emergency Services, BP, British Gas, Mace, Hill
o plus ongoing employability support and early access to Brentford FC stadium Job Fair.
The final cohort starts on the 4th March. Please share the flyer and the signup up link with YP you work with. Contact Charlie for more info: cdouglas@brentfordfccst.com
2. Green Skills & Construction Job Fair- 12th Mar
If you support people looking for work or training in construction or green skills, the West London Green Skills Hub would be grateful if you could share details of the upcoming job fair with the people you support and encourage them to register. The next Green Skills & Construction Job Fair will take place on Thursday 12th March at Westfield Shopping Centre, Shepherd’s Bush.
The event is open to jobseekers, students, and career changers and will offer opportunities to:
• Meet employers, many of whom have live job vacancies
• Receive support with CVs, interviews, and job applications
• Learn more about careers in green and sustainable construction
Advance registration is required for jobseekers to attend – they can register here. See flyer attached for further information.
3. Goodwork.London job site
GoodPeople have developed a Jobs site for Londoners aged 18+. The site advertises job opportunities from employers across London committed to good work standards. The site utilises AI-powered job matching with roles spanning different levels and sectors. Featured employers include Thames Water, Berkeley, Sam’s Riverside, B&Q etc. Please see the materials attached and share with those that may be interested.
For more information email: bryony@goodpeople.co.uk
4. New procurement exercise for delivering skills training
Places for London is TfL’s property company which seeks to maximise the benefits of TfL-owned land through property development projects. They are active in training construction workers through their partnership with The Skills Centre. They are exploring a new procurement exercise for delivering skills training and are encouraging potentially interested suppliers to ensure that they are registered on the Crown Commercial Service system via https://www.crowncommercial.gov.uk/agreements/RM6348. Only suppliers registered on the CCS system will be able to participate in the upcoming procurement exercise.
Contact Olu if you have any questions: OluOluwole@tfl.gov.uk
5. The London Living Wage
The London Living Wage (LLW) is an hourly rate of pay, currently set at £14.80. It is calculated to each year to reflect the true cost of living in the capital. Ealing Council is proud to support local organisations that do the right thing by paying their staff the London Living Wage (LLW).
There are many benefits for employers who are LLW accredited:
• Attract and retain great staff
• Enhance your reputation
• Unlock exclusive support
Please share this link with employers that may not yet be accredited so that they can benefit.
6. YCC Work Experience Guide
Youth Careers Collective have created a handy Work Experience Guide to support young people to effectively find placements. This youth facing guide includes the following sections:
• Asking your own contacts
• Carrying out research
• Reaching out to employers
• Our top tips for success
• Frequently asked questions
Please share this resource (attached) and work through the guide with any young people looking for WEX!
7. The Skills Centre - Earls Court courses
The Skills Centre at Earls Court are running free CSCS (Construction Skills Certification Scheme) courses supporting residents to start their careers in construction. These 3-week pre-employability programmes arm candidates with Level 1 certifications covering the health and safety, construction and the sustainability knowledge needed to get started on a career path within the industry. Upcoming courses are in the table below:
Earls Court Skills Centre: Empress Pl, London SW6 1TT.
Enrolment Day The Skills Centre Location Course Type Duration Start Date End Date
Tues 24th Feb Earls Court Skills Centre Women's Only Groundworker Bootcamp 4 Weeks 02/03/2026 27/03/2026
Thurs 26th Feb Earls Court Skills Centre Plant Op Pre-Employment 3 Weeks 02/03/2026 20/03/2026
Tues 24th March Earls Court Skills Centre Groundworker Pre-Employment 3 Weeks 30/03/2026 17/04/2026
Thurs 26th March Earls Court Skills Centre Plant Op Pre-Employment 3 Weeks 30/03/2026 17/04/2026
To find out more information and to refer a resident, send the residents’: Name, Tel, Email, DOB and Home Postcode to referrals@theskillscentre.co.uk. To receive a bi-weekly update on upcoming courses, please email Ben to be added to the Earls Court Skills Centre newsletter: ben.oligbo@theskillscentre.co.uk
8. Policy updates and Employer voice
The Inclusive Talent Strategy for London, led by the Mayor and London Councils, launched on 23 October (see here). It is part of delivering the London Growth Plan published in February, and aims to be the overarching ‘workforce plan for London’.
Alongside this, the Get London Working Plan was published, focused particularly on how to join up employment, health and skills and support residents with barriers to employment. West London is well advanced on this journey and we have brought together a range of programmes for residents through a single front door, with our strategic partners Shaw Trust – see here.
As part of this work, the Mayor will be sponsoring Sector Boards and Sector Hubs, working across London to improve training and skills in construction, creative industries and life sciences. A prospectus has been published inviting proposals to run the Hubs, with funding attached. We know that we already have several successful sector hubs in West London to build on. If any West London partners are interested in bidding to run one of the new Hubs, please do let us know so that we can support you and help connect you with relevant partners.
West London Alliance and West London Business are helping to refresh the London Local Skills Improvement Plan. This is the main way to capture what skills businesses need and areas where businesses are struggling to recruit, and make sure that training providers are meeting those needs. Please share our short survey here with your employer networks so that we can hear from as many voices as possible – and look out for further engagement to follow.
9. Change Project- Free support for NEET West London 16-24 year olds
Shaw Trust’s Change Project offers young people a holistic approach to develop interpersonal skills, knowledge, experience, and gain qualifications that will enable them to move into sustained employment, education, or training.
The programme will offer:
• Engagement and Customer Journey
Targeted outreach to engage economically inactive and unemployed NEET groups.
Allocated Change Maker Mentor who will support the young people from the beginning and throughout their journey on the programme.
• Health and Wellbeing
Access to specialist Cognitive Behavioural Mentoring for young people with poor mental health
• Curriculum and Activities
Offering a suite of accredited/non-accredited curriculum and activities, such as employability skills, CSCS, Gym Instruction, Security with SIA, First Aid, Customer Service, Child Care
• Enable and Succeed
Job Brokerage, Job Coaching, work placements and a network of community mentors, and peer volunteers.
Please see the programme flyer attached. The website and referral form to share with eligible residents here.
. Barnet Mencap: Bright Future Programme and Friday Jobs Club
Barnet Mencap helping children and adults with learning disabilities and autistic people in the London Borough of Barnet.
Bright Futures supports Barnet residents with learning disabilities and autism into work, training, and volunteering. Referrals can be made directly via their website here.
The Friday Job Club is one of the core activities within Bright Futures. It runs weekly from 12–3pm at their Finchley office, and provides a structured, supportive space for people with learning disabilities and autism to work on CVs, applications, interview practice, and employability skills. It also acts as a micro-community, helping residents stay motivated, share opportunities, and build confidence in their employment journey.
For more information, please contact Zeeshan zeeshans@barnetmencap.org.uk .
10. Working Chance – Supporting Women with convictions into employment
Working Chance supports women with convictions to develop the confidence, self-belief, and skills they need to find employment and rebuild their lives. They work with employers across the country to find opportunities for women that match their skills, aspirations, and needs. Whether it's their first ever job, a career move, or heading back into education or training, Working Chance are here to help. You can find out more about their work here.
11. HRUC- Apprenticeship opportunities and free employability course
HRUC has launched Foundation Apprenticeships – a brand-new pathway designed to open doors for young people aged 16–21 and others who need support accessing skilled careers. Even better? Employers and Providers receive a £2,000 incentive to hire a Foundation Apprentice! These 8 months long foundation apprenticeships will be for the following courses:
• Building Services Engineering
• Onsite Trades
• Engineering and Manufacturing
• Health and Social Care
Please see the flyer attached. For more information please Call: 01895 85362 or Email: employers@hruc.ac.uk. Click here for further information for employers.
HRUC has also launched a free employability course for career development, with an opportunity for a job interview as part of the offer. Please see attached flyer and share with your residents. For more information email Giles Strachan, Giles.Strachan@hruc.ac.uk
12. West London Green Skills & Construction Prospectus launched
West London’s leading colleges and training providers have joined forces to launch the 2025–2026 West London Green Skills & Construction Prospectus - a user-friendly online guide to help residents explore opportunities in two of the region’s fastest-growing sectors. The prospectus showcases high-quality teaching and state-of-the-art facilities across West London and features a wide range of training courses and qualifications. It also links to the adult education services across the seven West London boroughs. With autumn enrolment approaching, now is the ideal time to explore what’s on offer. Click here to view the prospectus.
13. Article: Tips on how to successfully enrol into college
West London Green Skills Hub have published a short news item that provides five top tips on how to successfully enrol into college. Please share the article with residents who may be interested. The link is here.
14. West London Green Skills Hub Monthly E-newsletter
Have you subscribed to the Free West London Green Skills Hub Monthly E-newsletter? It provides news of jobs, apprenticeships, events and useful resources aimed at job coaches and job seekers interested in green skills and construction in West London. To view the latest issue and to subscribe click here. Please do subscribe and share it with your network and residents!
15. Online Resource: ‘Find a Job’
Haven’t seen our Find a Job page yet? On our West London Skills and Work Finder website, we’ve created a list of opportunities and support for residents in West London. From apprenticeship opportunities, to employment programmes, to support for those with SEND - we’ve compiled it all!
Check out the Find a Job page today and do share it with your residents. Do you think a great opportunity/programme is missing? If so, please let us know.
Also, follow us on Instagram @westlondonskillsandjobs_ for more training opportunities, support and careers events for residents.
16. WLA Instagram – advertising your skills/employment programmes and events
Our Instagram page highlights training opportunities and employment events for residents in West London. Please follow us, share it with your residents and send us your content. We can create a post for you, getting your offer out to as many residents as possible. Follow at @westlondonskillsandjobs_ and email Matthew, Tomam@ealing.gov.uk to discuss how we can promote your offer.