In work support, training, and interview preparation
Job centres
- Dudley Jobcentre Plus, Alexander House, 32 Wolverhampton Street, Dudley, DY1 1JR
- Halesowen Jobcentre Plus, Maybrook House, Queensway, Halesowen, B63 4AH
- Stourbridge Jobcentre Plus, Scotland House, 169 Lower High Street, Stourbridge, DY8 1ES
- GOV.UK - Contact Job Centre Plus
- GOV.UK - Find a job
Call 0845 604 3719 or 0800 169 0190. Textphone is also available on 01384 243499.
Access to Work factsheet
This Government factsheet explains how Access to Work can provide practical and financial support to help you overcome barriers to starting or keeping a job if you have a disability or long term physical or mental health condition.
It explains:
- Who can get help from Access to Work.
- What you’ll get.
- How to claim.
- How to ask for your award to be looked at again and how to complain.
- GOV.UK - Access to Work: Factsheet for customers
Changes to flexible working
From 6 April 2024 employees will be able to make a statutory request to make permanent changes to their contract from their first day of employment. This means that from day one, employees can ask an employer for changes to how long, when and where they work.
Employees will also be able to make two requests in any twelve-month period, rather than the current one request.
In addition, employers will be required to make a decision on the request within two months of receiving it. Currently they have three months
Should an employer feel unable to accept the request, they will need to consult with you.
The changes introduced on 6 April will also mean that employees will no longer have to explain what effect, if any, the flexible working request would have on the organisation and how it could be overcome.
Employers must manage these requests in a reasonable manner. They can only reject a request for one of eight business reasons
The list of reasons can be found here:
Adult and Community Learning
Our Adult and Community Learning service provides learning opportunities for adults and families in the borough.
Employability courses
Adult Learning offers free courses for unemployed residents who want to get a job. You can get help to create a CV, search for a job and learn interview techniques.
We have free 2 hour sessions for confidence building, motivation and resilience. We have Gateway programmes if you want to work in the Retail, Care, Logistics, Warehousing or Customer Service sectors.
Digital courses
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use a computer or an iPad
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shop and bank safety online
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learn how and where you can access the internet
Just Straight Talk - Platform employment project
Platform is a new project set up by Just Straight Talk!
The project support people aged 18+ who are unemployed within Dudley & Sandwell.
The project will work with people to increase their wellbeing, confidence and self esteem through group activities and 1 to 1 sessions.
A dedicated team will help with:
- Improving wellbeing
- Building confidence
- Employability skills
- Budgeting skills
- Information, advice and guidance
- Community Connections
To find out more contact the Just Straight Talk office.
- Telephone: 01902 256744
- Email: platform@juststraighttalk.org
Top Church Training
Top Church Training are a charity who support personal development, improve employment prospects and provide practical help through difficult times.
They can offer help with things at home, financial advice, mentoring, 1 to 1 support, learning new skills, re-training and volunteering to help boost your CV.
Libraries
You can visit any of Dudley’s Libraries to browse and select books, CDs and DVDs as well as using library computers and free Wi-Fi.
They also have a wide range of online resources including ebooks, emagazines and papers that you can access from home. All you need to be is a library member.
Clothes for interviews
There are charities that provide support for people needing clothes for an interview. You may need to ask for a referral to these organisations from a job centre.
You can ask for a referral to Provision House. They have donated clothes and can offer a range of support services for those looking for a better job.
Career in social care
There are a wide range of opportunities to build a career in adult social care.
The Adult Social Care site has everything you need to:
- research a career in adult social care
- search and apply for adult social care jobs near you
- CV and interview support
Jobseekers urged to watch out for job scams
At the end of January the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) put jobseekers on alert for the scams that could leave them victims of theft and fraud.
DBS is working with JobsAware to raise awareness of job scams that might lead people down the path of sharing identity details, and even their own money, in the belief they are in line for new employment.
Here are some red flags for jobseekers to watch out for:
- Poorly written job adverts.
- Suspicious contact details.
- Unrealistic salary.
- A job offer without an interview.
- Being asked for money.
- Illegitimate companies or emails.
- UK domains
If you suspect that you have been targeted by, or have been the victim of a job scam, report it
More information about this issue can be found on JobsAware website