Skip to main content

Edinburgh

There are a variety of opportunites available to young people ranging from jobs, Modern Apprenticeships, training programmes and further education.

See the types of opportunities below and watch the videos to get further information:

 

Many employers offer local young people a foot on the career ladder by creating jobs for school leavers.

Entry level opportunities within organisations offer a great stepping stone for you to begin your journey in the world of work.  You can work at a level that provides a strong foundation for developing skills, knowledge and experience with the potential to advance in the future.

To find out more:

Modern Apprenticeships are an alternative way for employers to recruit and train young people.

Modern Apprenticeships give young people aged 16+ an alternative way of gaining the skills, experience and qualifications to start a career within their chosen sector - without the need to study full-time. This is done through a combination of paid employment, on-the-job training and an accredited qualification at industry-recognised standards. In addition, Modern Apprentices also gain a number of core skills (if required) including communication; numeracy; problem solving; working with others and IT skills.

Modern Apprenticeships are available across a wide range of sectors and all have been developed by the sectors in which they will be undertaken. For example, there are many Modern Apprenticeships in retail; business administration; hospitality; finance, and many other sectors.

Benefits to You:

  • Employment
  • On the job training
  • An accredited qualification at industry-recognised standards
  • Increased likeliness of sustaining employment in later life

To find out more:

Chris Arundel, Apprentice (2014) at Parkview Care Home

Chris was a Modern Apprentice at Parkview Care Home, The City of Edinburgh Council.  The apprenticeship programme is part of the council's pledge to the Edinburgh Guarantee.  Chris talks about his experience and the benefit of the Edinburgh Guarantee to him.

 

Edinburgh Project SEARCH provides employment and learning opportunities for young people with a disability. It is a partnership between the City of Edinburgh Council, NHS Lothian, Edinburgh College and Intowork.

To be eligible you must be: 

  • be between 16 to 29 years old
  • want to secure a full time job (16+ hours)
  • live within Edinburgh, East Lothian, West Lothian or Midlothian
  • have a recognised disability
  • be able to commit full time for 1 year
  • be able to travel alone or learn how to do by the start of the programme.

What you will do

The programme runs from August to July each year. During the programme you will: 

  • attend every Monday to Friday 9:00am - 4:00pm during term time
  • complete 3 different internships within the City of Edinburgh Council or NHS Lothian
  • complete 5 hours at the internship and 2 hours in the training room each day
  • work towards a qualification and complete Project SEARCH course work
  • gain skills needed for work. 

A tutor and two job coaches are based on site to provide classroom learning and in-work support. 

To find out more:

Email: project.search@edinburgh.gov.uk

Tel: 0131 529 3139 

Facebook: www.facebook.com/edinburghprojectsearch

Project SEARCH Logo

School leaver Internship is an opportunity to get short term work experience. Internships can be project specific or general, offering both the young person and employer the chance to identify strengths, skills, abilities and interests which can be aligned to an opportunity within the organisation.

Internships generally last for 6 months but can be longer. Employers use internships where they have specific roles that would enable you to get a taste of the work that is carried out within an organisation. Completing an internship provides a great platform for a young person to move onto permanent Job or a Modern Apprenticeship opportunity.

To find out more:

Amy McGillivery, Intern (2014) at Standard Life

Amy was an Intern with Standard Life. She talks about how getting involved with the Edinburgh Guarantee has benefited her.

In Edinburgh, there are a wide range of training organisations who can support young people with their aim of securing employment.  All of these organisations have support from employers who are willing to offer a work placement that will allow you to increase your skills, experience and knowledge of the workplace.

Many of these training organisations deliver industry related qualifications alongside the work placement and therefore ask if you have a real interest in that specific industry sector.  However, other training organisations deliver more generic qualifications like the Certificate of Work Readiness and can therefore tailor the training you need to the sector(s) you want to secure a job in.

To find out more:

  • Watch the video below
  • See our Current Opportunities
  • Search the Joined Up For Jobs directory to find a training organisation that trains and prepares young people for emploment in the indusrty sector that interests you (filter by 'Young People', 'Training for Jobs' and/or 'Employment')
  • Visit My World of Work to find out more about different types of work experience.

Patrick Dempsey, Trainee (2014) at GL Floors

Patrick was a trainee at Capital Skills - an Edinburgh Guarantee programme.  He talks about how getting involved with the Edinburgh Guarantee has benefited him.

 

Edinburgh College is one of Scotland's biggest Colleges with around 20,000 students across 4 campuses in Edinburgh and the Lothians.

Offering a wide variety of vibrant vocational and academic courses, Edinburgh College provides flexible learning opportunities to suit all learning needs. Whatever path you choose they offer over 900 courses from access to degree level and continuing professional development to help you achieve your future career ambitions.

To find out more:

The JET Academy is a work-based learning programme for S4-S6 school pupils. JET stands for Job, Education and Training and aims to prepare you for the world of work by providing an opportunity to gain valuable work experience and a nationally recognised Employability Award. 

You will be matched to a work placement where you will undertake extended work experience with an employer over an agreed period of time. Your school timetable will be adjusted to accommodate this. 

If you are interested in taking part in the JET Academy please speak to your Guidance Teacher. 

To find out more:

Jay Sturgeon, Modern Apprentice (2014) at the City of Edinburgh Council

Now a Business Assistant at the City of Edinburgh Council, Jay began his path into employment through the JET Academy which is part of the Edinburgh Guarantee. Jay tells of his experience of the Edinburgh Guarantee and the benefit to him.

 

 

Career Ready (formerly Career Academies UK) is an ambitious business led charity that helps raise young people's aspirations and life chances by bridging the gap between education and employment.  This is done by giving 16-19 year olds access to real experience of the world of work.

Career Ready is an inspirational programme that includes mentoring, 'guru lectures' and internships.  Career Ready students begin their experience in 5th year at school and follow a rigorous two-year enrichment programme alongside their school curriculum - enabling them to progress to higher education or the world of work from a much more informed, inspired and confident base.

To find out more:

Megan Thomson, Apprentice (2014) at Change Recruitment

Megan began her path into employment through the Career Ready programme as apprentice office staff at Change Recruitment. Megan tells of her experience of the Edinburgh Guarantee and the benefit to her.

 

Foundation Apprenticeships are being developed to create better links between young people, education and employers and to better prepare young people for the world of work.

A Foundation Apprenticeship lasts for two years and is studied alongside other school subjects (typically National 5s and Highers). Starting in fourth or fifth year, pupils get the opportunity to complete elements of a Modern Apprenticeship while still in full-time education. Upon successful completion of a Foundation Apprenticeship young people can continue their studies at college or university, go into direct employment or gain accelerated entry onto a related Modern Apprenticeship.

 

   EG 250 X 150