Access Southampton Events & Training Calendar

**** Due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, some courses and events may be cancelled at short notice. Always contact the training provider to check whether the course/event is still going ahead ****

Below is a summary of the latest careers events, training courses, employment opportunities and open days that are coming up in Southampton. These opportunities will give you the chance to develop new and existing skills, meet employers, or find out about local colleges and training providers. Please note, this is not an exhaustive list and times/locations may be subject to change – always contact the training provider to find out more information.

Submit details of your own training course or careers event

In this section:

Virtual Learning and Opportunities

Free Online Training

The Skills Toolkit – The Skills Toolkit is a new online platform giving access to free, high quality digital and numeracy courses to help people build up their skills and boost employability across the country

reed.co.uk – free course listings can be found on the Reed website

FutureLearn – includes some courses that are available for free

Vision2Learn – funded courses delivered in partnership with colleges in England

Alison.com – over 1000 free courses you can complete at your own pace

Babington Free Online Courses – programmes and qualifications available for remote learning and fully available online, supported by specialist trainers

Think Employment – a range of courses that can be completed at home, with remote-tutor support

Virtual College – a wide range of free e-learning

University of Southampton – free online learning packages including Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) and podcasts

Upcoming courses and events

Southampton Jobs Fair

When: Friday 26th November 2021 10am-1pm

The Southampton Jobs Fair returns on Friday 26th November 2021 at St Marys Stadium, 10am to 1pm.

The Jobs Fair is free to attend for all job seekers.

Speak face-to-face with various local and national employers at this one-day event. Recruiters will be from a variety of different industries on the day.

For more information please visit
Southampton Jobs Fair Tickets, Fri 26 Nov 2021 at 10:00 | Eventbrite

PATH Parents Employability Day

When: Wednesday 1stt December 2021 10am-3pm

Where: Novotel Southampton, 1 West Quay Road, SO15 1RA

Southampton City Council’s Employment Support Team and the PATH project are bringing the first ever Parents Employability Day to Southampton!

The event is specifically aimed at parents and helping them to find employment, volunteering and training. It’s completely free to attend and as well as free food and refreshments, we’ll also be providing free childcare on site for the whole day.

  • Attend workshops around CVs, job searching and job interviews
  • Listen to special guest speakers share their stories around parenting and work
  • Meet other parents, share stories and get advice
  • Find out about the PATH project and how it can support parental wellbeing
  • Get the right support to help you find your next job

Plan for the day:

10am – Welcome and Introductions

10:10am – Introduction to PATH project and Employment Support Team

10:30am – Workshop 1 – boost your employability skills

11:15am – Speaker 1 – TBC

12pm – Lunch

1pm – Workshop 2 – boost your confidence

1:45pm – Activity session

2:15pm – Speaker 2 – TBC

3pm – Event close

Find out more about the PATH project: path-perinatal.eu/uk/tackling-mental-health-stigma

Get involved on social media using the hashtag #PATHsoton

Click here to book your place – spaces are limited so don’t delay! https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/southampton-parents-employability-day-tickets-196584939847

Abri Create Self-Employment Course

When: 4 Sessions in December on the 1st, 2nd, 6th and 6th – 9.30am – 12.30pm (Delivered on MS Teams)

Registration, training, and support is FREE and after completion of the 4 training sessions the post course support includes mentoring, business clubs, private Facebook group, additional training workshops and online and face to face sponsored Marketplaces. 

These courses are taking bookings through the Eventbrite links below! Or email increasevs@abri.co.uk to refer. 

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/abris-create-free-self-employment-training-course-online-tickets-194982888067

Our award-winning course provides a step-by-step guide covering the fundamentals of self-employment and what any new entrepreneur should ideally be considering at an early stage.  It’s also suitable for those who may have already started up but need more guidance.  It covers legalities, financials, marketing, branding, how to create a business model and how self-employment effects benefits.  What’s great is Create is free (which includes post-course support through Abri) and open to all.

Heath and Social Care Careers

When: Thursday 2nd December @ 10am

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/209834349187

Careers in Green Energy

When: Wednesday 8th December @ 10am

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/209837338127

Joining the Civil Service Workshop

When: Wednesday 8th December @ 12pm

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/209819233977

Creating A Winning CV Workshop

When: Friday 10th December @ 10am

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/209816485757

Experience Matters Workshop

When: Friday 10th December @ 10am

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/209820076497

Creating A Winning CV Workshop

When: Friday 17th December @ 10am

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/209818060467

Self-employment Awareness Workshop

When: Friday 17th December @ 10am

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/209827609027

Safe New Futures January Courses

When: 4 course options starting in January 2022

Programme Start Date For candidates
Solent Youth New Futures 11th Jan 2022 16-25 in the Solent region
Southampton New Futures 11th Jan 2022 18+ in Southampton
New Futures Solent Supporting Employment 11th Jan 2022 18+ who are actively seeking employment and based in Eastleigh, Gosport, Havant, the New Forest and the Isle of Wight
Teens Programme TBC 13-16 in the Solent region

We have helped many people in your area tackle stress, anxiety and depression through our CBT- based course and personal coaching sessions. Additional follow-up workshops after the core course allow us to further support candidates for a full 6 months. *

Recent candidates’ quotes include:

 “I feel the course opened my eyes to a way of thinking and my thoughts are becoming positive. Without the course I wouldn’t have had the confidence to do the interview next week. It has really changed my mind set for the better. I highly recommend it!” 

“The course has been better than I could have dreamt it to be. It has given me so much to think about. A few weeks ago, I would not have even applied for a job I felt so negative but now have a job offer and I’m looking forward to the future more.” 

With rising mental health concerns and more people out of work throughout the pandemic, now more than ever, our experienced programme facilitators are ready to deliver excellent support to individuals who need it the most.

Despite the current circumstances, we are continuing to run our programmes online. Please note the new dates. The next programmes start week commencing 11th January 2022 will be:

  • Free
  • Online 2 days a week via the Zoom platform
  • Open to candidates who are not employed or in education and may feel stuck in their current situation
  • Seeking to improve self-esteem, self-confidence and motivation and to help candidates regain a sense of control over their lives

If you have any questions, we would love to talk with you.

College Open Events

City College

City College have their own dedicated online open event where you can watch videos about the college and find out more about the subjects on offer.

citycollegesouthampton.onlineopendays.com

Richard Taunton Sixth Form College

Find out more about college life and talk to staff and students about the courses on offer.

Open Evening Sign Up – Richard Taunton Sixth Form College

Itchen Sixth Form College

Itchen College has a dedicated online open event including an introduction from the principal, a facilities tour video, course videos and presentations and a Live Chat Q&A Service (3pm-4pm Monday-Friday)

www.itchen.ac.uk/online-open-day-homepage

St Anne’s Sixth Form

Find out more about studying at St. Anne’s Sixth Form: www.stannes6th.uk

Bitterne Park Sixth Form

Bitterne Park Sixth Form have shared a video on YouTube to tell you more about life at the college

Barton Peveril Sixth Form College

Find details of upcoming open events at www.barton-peveril.ac.uk/openevents

Peter Symonds College

360 virtual tour of Peter Symonds College: 360testbed.co/psc

Eastleigh College

Virtual open event will give the opportunity to preview the facilities and discover the courses on offer.

Open event | 10 June | Book here · Eastleigh College

Totton College

A chance for prospective students to get a feel for life at Totton College.

Open Evening: Tuesday 22nd June 2021 | Totton College

Brockenhurst College

Virtual Open Event: www.brock.ac.uk/virtualopenevent

Fareham College

Online showcase introducing you to Fareham College: www.fareham.ac.uk/online-showcase

Ongoing Opportunities

JBC Skills Training

JBC Skills Training Ltd – Career Builder/Technical IT Training 2021 course dates.

The JBC IT Career Builder programme is designed to provide unemployed individuals with the knowledge and skills to secure an entry level position in the IT Service sector including positions such as:

  • IT Service Technician
  • Field Service Engineer
  • IT Support Specialist
  • Infrastructure Technician
  • IT Installations Engineer
  • Network Services Technician
  • Cloud Services Technician
  • IT Security Technician

Our comprehensive, six-week instructor-led programme includes:-

  • Daily live lessons and additional support sessions via 3CX/Teams
  • 2x City and Guilds Level 2 Diplomas (IT Support and IT Systems & Principles)
  • The opportunity to undertake Microsoft Technology Associate qualifications (ordinarily circa £100 per exam. Funded by us through our Microsoft Academy status)
  • Sector specific career development workshops and support including, CVs, Interview technique and LinkedIN marketing

The next JBC Skills Training Ltd – Career Builder Programme/Technical IT Training taking place in 2022 will be:-

Start: 10th January – End: 18th February

Start: 7th February – End: 18th March

Start: 7th March – End: 19th April

Start: 4th April – End: 18th May

Start: 3rd May – End: 15th June

Start: 30th May – End: 12th July

The training will be delivered remotely/online as a 6-week programme.

The training is available to those who are 19+ and in receipt of benefits/Low-income earner.

Applicants can phone the office on – 024 7671 5143 – Mobile – 07387 266670

Applicants can also complete the online application form –

https://www.jbctraining.co.uk/career-builder-application.html

Once the applicant has contacted me/completed the online application, an initial online interview and assessment will be scheduled to discuss the course in more detail/check suitability.

Upon successful completion of assessment/interview, the applicant will be offered a place on our next available course. 

Due to remote/online delivery the applicant must have access to the internet and a PC/laptop.

Online CSCS Training

The Construction Skills Fund now have virtual training available for those who want to get their CSCS card. The CSCS test cannot be done virtually, and they will be done at the learner’s nearest CSCS test centre. 

Referrals can be made in the usual way to csf@hants.gov.uk

Before you refer anyone, please:

  • Ensure that they have access to a laptop or tablet computer (a phone is not sufficient), wifi and a quiet learning space
  • Ensure that they have the right photo ID to do the CSCS card test (passport/driving licence/citizen card – details can be found here)
  • Ensure that the learner can travel easily and safely to their nearest CSCS test centre

Southampton Library Service – Your Library from Home

Find out what’s available for you and your family at home from our libraries, there’s something for everyone and it’s all free with a library membership!
Not a member? Join online now (also free!)

Reading and Listening

Local and Family history

Online Events

Staying in touch

For regular updates and activities, follow the library service on social media:

Quickstart Courses

Quickstart (Brockenhurst College) are now back open and will be ready to take referrals for our courses from Wednesday July 1st. Our phone lines will be open between 10am and 2pm.

In light of the Covid-19 situation we have now put in place a few changes to make sure that we adhere to the current government guidelines;

  • Learners will be booked on to telephone IPIs with our Work and Training Advisors
  • In the centre we have introduced social distancing measures maintaining the 2 metre rule and have reduced the numbers of learners that we will have on courses so learners and tutors in classrooms are properly distanced
  • We will provide learners with access to antibacterial hand gel, as well as PPE such as disposable masks and gloves
  • Whilst with us learners will have to sign an updated code of conduct to say that they agree to adhere to our rules and procedures

Call 02380 682571 to book

City College Distance Learning Courses

At City college, make 2021 your year with our wide range of professional, technical and creative courses. Whether you are learning for work, to gain a qualification for a new career, or to learn a new skill, we have a course for everyone.

Our distance learning qualifications provide you with the flexibility to study at a time and place that suits you, so you can fit your learning around your work and home life.

Level 2 courses:

Level 1 courses:

Take a look at the part-time courses we offer and see how we can help you to achieve your personal or career goals for 2021.

https://www.southampton-city.ac.uk/courses/?term=distance&sort=relevance&subjectArea=&level=&type=&qualification=&dates.duration=&courseDays=&courseTimes=

Itchen College Distance Learning Courses

Email wbl@itchen.ac.uk or call 023 8044 6156 for more information

Construction Skills Bootcamps

Skills2Achieve

S2A are now recruiting young people across Southampton, Eastleigh Portsmouth and Basingstoke to start in August 2020

Skills2Achieve Functional Skills for Adult Learners

Skills2Achieve will be running Adult classes throughout the 20/21 year in Math and English Functional Skills up to level 2. Each course will run for 10 weeks.

Email kerry.keenan@enhamtrust.org.uk or telephone 023 8021 1683.

In Focus Education & Development CiC – www.infocusedu.co.uk

On Wednesdays from 11:00 to 13:30 (2x1h sessions for two different groups) we run sessions for 16-24yrs who are not in education, employment or training (NEET). These sessions are geared around up-skilling and are vocationally focused, all who attend the workshops will be working towards their Bronze Arts Award (a recognised qualification). The sessions are funded by Southampton Violence Reduction Unit. 

Please follow this link for more information – https://www.infocusedu.co.uk/vru18_24/

If you would like to refer into our Wednesday sessions please use this form – https://airtable.com/shrItCHI7BtZ0DUyg

On Thursdays from 10:00 to 12:30 (2x1h sessions for two different groups) we run sessions for school aged young people (KS3&4). These are creative sessions aimed at diversion and desistance and are run in conjunction with Southampton Youth Offending Team. Those who engage in the sessions will gain a Bronze Arts Award (a recognised qualification).

If you would like to refer into our Thursday sessions please use this form – https://airtable.com/shrBf71kSDwkIobjM

All of the workshops will be held from our creative space in our HQ in Northam (SO14 0QB). We can assist with transport fees if necessary.

For more information on us or our sessions please email – xavier@infocusedu.co.uk

Prince’s Trust Coronavirus Support Hub

We’ve pulled together some of the most useful advice, guidance and resources so you can continue to upskill by developing your confidence and abilities during this challenging time, as well as find the answers to your questions on work and self-employment.

We’ll continue to update our hub, so do keep visiting for the latest tools and tips – and share with your friends and family.

www.princes-trust.org.uk/about-the-trust/coronavirus-response/resource-centre

  • Live Chat for Advice and Guidance
  • Jobs Boards, job search and job application advice
  • £5million Enterprise Relief Fund offers grants to 18 to 30-year olds across the UK who are self-employed and/or running their own business
  • Enterprise and self-employment advice
  • Money Management
  • Education Support
  • Confidence and Wellbeing
  • CV Support
  • #Can’tTalkWrite activity toolkits

Find out more by visiting www.princes-trust.org.uk/about-the-trust/coronavirus-response/resource-centre or calling 0800 842 842

Totton College Flexible Learning Courses

Funded qualifications delivered online with access to your own individual assessor/mentor. Industry recognised certifications delivered over up to 12 weeks. Available to the employed and unemployed. For your immediate enrolment contact cgoring@totton.ac.uk

There are many streams of funding available to employers and their employees to upskill their workforce at little to no cost*. We offer a range of short courses that deliver long-lasting results, you can develop your employee’s skill sets with enriching courses which maximise efficiency, increase motivation, and boost business productivity. Watch your team flourish as you create a more committed and skilled workforce.

Courses available:

  • Understanding Behaviour That Challenges
  • Principles of Business Administration
  • Children and Young People’s Mental Health
  • Understanding Nutrition and Health
  • Understanding Safeguarding and Prevent · Principles of Team Leading

*Subject to Adult Education Budget eligibility declaration completion at application.

Eastleigh College Online

Free online learning courses from Eastleigh College

Apply in 3 easy steps:

1.  Click here to choose your course

2.  View course and see online demo

3.  Apply

Kiwi Education Funded Courses Now Available

Completed online in 4 weeks. Courses available are:

  • Workplace Violence and Harassment
  • Climate Change and Environmental Awareness
  • Nutrition and Health
  • Data Protection and Data Security
  • Safeguarding and Prevent
  • Cleaning Principles
  • Certificate in Information, Advice or Guidance

For more information, visit Kiwi Education

Saints Learning Accredited Qualifications and E-Learning

Southampton Football Club’s range of accredited Chartered Management Institute (CMI) and e-learning qualifications provide certainty and belief in the abilities of those who achieve them. Courses are designed to fit around participants’ busy schedules, with expert-led training to bridge the gap between career ambition and career progression.

Accredited Qualifications
We provide training to reach the industry-recognised standards that enable ambitious, determined people to push on with their lives and careers. These are our selected suites of formally recognised and accredited qualifications. Please enquire for learning options.

Chartered Management Institute (CMI)

  • Level 2 Team Leading
  • Level 3 Principles of Management & Leadership
  • Level 4 Management & Leadership
  • Level 5 Management & leadership

e-Learning

  • Food Safety – Level 1
  • Food Safety – Level 2
  • Food Safety – Level 3
  • Health & Safety – Level 1
  • Health & Safety – Level 2
  • Health & Safety – Level 3

General e-Learning:

  • Conflict Management
  • Communication
  • Team Work

Find out more: www.southamptonfc.com/saints-learning/courses/accredited-qualifications

Out of area support

Do you need support finding work but live outside of Southampton? Check out these job clubs and support services from elsewhere in Hampshire

Portsmouth City Council Employment and Skills

The Employment and Skills provision supports individuals and local business through a range of targeted programmes. All participants also benefit from additional support from our Health and Wellbeing Coordinator who can support a range of healthy living initiatives including weight management and smoking cessation work.

Our experienced Employment Advisors work with people to help them overcome barriers to employment through a range of funded programmes. This can include helping individuals to consider new approaches to work, new career options and retraining as well as supporting direct job search activities.

We support local employers to recruit, often working with them to consider diversifying their workforce to support individuals with disabilities enter the employment market.

Support for the unemployed – Our fully-supported service works with employers to help recruit and retain staff to enrich your workforce. Our employment, learning and skills department deliver government-funded programmes to support those facing barriers to employment, including disabilities. Individuals can join these programmes by getting in touch, or can be referred through the Job Centre

Construction Skills Fund – This unique training opportunity for unemployed individuals aged 18+ provides a 2 week course to obtain their CSCS cards.

CSCS Cards – For those with industry experience a short course experience is available at costs to support individuals into work. Please apply for current prices.

Contact details

The You Trust

Young Lives

For further information, please contact:

  • For the New Forest area, telephone: 02380 668441
  • For the Dorset area, telephone: 01305 789028 or 01305 213783

New Forest and Dorset Young People

Our vision is for every young person to become a positive force for change in their own life, and the lives of others, whatever their background or circumstance. In this way they will make a successful transition to adulthood with the capabilities they need to become happy, healthy, valued members of the community, fully equipped to access employment and achieve their aspirations. We give young people the tools they need for life, work and a better future through having a voice so they can influence the world around them. We create innovative and inspiring programmes in partnership with young people and deliver them to community-cased and targeted youth organisations. Through key-working, we help young people to:

  • Work in staying safe
  • Manage their accommodation
  • Find work
  • Develop life skills
  • Avoid isolation
  • Prepare for more independent living
  • Get into college
  • Find a job
  • Join a sports or social club

theyoutrust.org.uk/service/young-people

RCS Services

A community organisation that works across Hampshire to deliver support and opportunities for people. We pride ourselves on supplying a quality service by utilising our own expertise, as well as the expertise of our many partners, to achieve the common goal to improve the wellbeing and life experiences of the community around us.

RCS offer a vast range of courses in a wide number of locations around Hampshire – www.rcsservices.org.uk/our-courses/4588191187

Employment Training Programme covering Andover, Romsey and Basingstoke – www.rcsservices.org.uk/employment-training-programme/4594783105

Phone: Romsey – 01794 522106
Andover – 01264 359223

Email: enquiries.rcs123@gmail.com
longmeadow.rcs@gmail.com (Andover office)

www.rcsservices.org.uk/home/4587590637

Seetec Pluss

Areas Covered: Gosport, Havant & Newport

Call: 0800 334 5525

Email: employment.bureau@pluss.org.uk

Hampshire County Council

A new helpline is now available to provide information and advice, as well as practical support to frail or vulnerable Hampshire residents.

The Coronavirus Hampshire Helpline – Hantshelp4vulnerable – can be contacted on 0333 370 4000. (Calls charged at local rate.) Or you can request a call-back from the helpline by completing the call-back request form.

The helpline is available seven days a week, from 9am to 5pm, and is for vulnerable people who do not have support from families, friends or their local community, and who need assistance with practical issues.

Please note the service is for people currently residing in the county of Hampshire. If you are a resident of Southampton, Portsmouth or the Isle of Wight, and call the number above, you will be signposted to their respective local support numbers.

www.hants.gov.uk/socialcareandhealth/coronavirus/volunteer-welfare

Hive Portsmouth

Hive Portsmouth is currently dedicated to supporting our most vulnerable residents during the Covid-19 pandemic.

If you are an individual in need of help please call the helpline:
Portsmouth Residents in PO1 – PO6 postcodes:
☏ Helpline: 023 9261 6709 (Lines are open 9am-5pm Monday – Friday)

Residents in other PO postcodes:
☏ The Coronavirus Hampshire Helpline
Hantshelp4vulnerable – can be contacted on 0333 370 4000 (Lines are open 9am-5pm)

hiveportsmouth.org.uk/covid-1

Kooth digital counselling and emotional wellbeing service available for young people

Health and Care Portsmouth has commissioned the online counselling service Kooth, a service delivered by Kooth Plc. Kooth is now an integral component of Portsmouth’s mental health provision offering a digital counselling and emotional wellbeing service for young people from January 2021.

Kooth is a free online counselling and emotional well-being support service providing young people aged 11-18 years (up to 19th birthday) in Portsmouth with a safe and secure means of accessing support with their emotional health and wellbeing needs from a professional team of qualified counsellors. By accessing Kooth young people can benefit from:

  • A free, confidential, anonymous and safe way to receive support online.
  • Out of hours’ availability. Counsellors are available from 12noon to 10pm on weekdays and 6pm to 10 pm at weekends, every day of the year on a drop in basis.
  • Online counselling from a professional team of BACP qualified counsellors is available via 1-1 chat sessions or messaging on a drop in basis or via booked sessions.
  • Discussion boards which are all pre-moderated allow young people to access peer to peer support.
  • Online magazine full of moderated articles many of which are submitted by young people offering advice and guidance on a huge range of topics.
  • No referral is required. Young people can register for Kooth independently at www.kooth.com.

You can also view a short video about the service by following this link.

Project UP (Unlimited Potential)

Abri are launching a new venture called Project UP (Unlimited Potential).  Funded through the European Social Fund and match funded by Abri, Project UP offers free expert support, training and advice for people who are looking to secure employment, gain new skills for work and improve their confidence.  Our initial focus is on Gosport, Portsmouth, Millbrook and Mansbridge, but if you have customers that live in the wider Solent LEP area we can also support them.  Anyone who is unemployed or economically inactive can benefit from 1to1 career advice, access to a local job club run in partnership with SEHCO (South East Hampshire Community Outlook), job opportunities with local employers and the chance to attend our in house programme of employability, self-employment, wellbeing and confidence training webinars.  To find out more either respond to this email or contact us at estsupport@abri.co.uk, call 0800 432 0570

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