Leeds opportunity centre offers free employment support for those searching for jobs through lockdown

An opportunity centre in Leeds has said it will offer free employment support to help people to secure employment through the difficulties of the coronavirus pandemic.
Vocational courses are also available for young people (photo: Aspire-igen, Leeds)Vocational courses are also available for young people (photo: Aspire-igen, Leeds)
Vocational courses are also available for young people (photo: Aspire-igen, Leeds)

Aspire-igen on Eastgate in Leeds city centre wants to offer hope to those looking for jobs during the pandemic.

The Yorkshire-based careers and training provider has centres across the region, including in Leeds, Bradford and Wakefield, and wants to help people to gain the skills and confidence needed to secure employment during lockdown.

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The centres are offering this employment support and training for free using funding from the European Social Fund.

Support ranges from help preparing a CV to accessing careers advice and therapeutic services to help build people's confidence and overcome barriers to work.

Caroline Harrison, Chief Executive of Aspire-igen said “We are living in unprecedented times, and now, more than ever, people across the region need support to regain confidence and skills to enable them to navigate a difficult job market.

"We are passionate about our role in helping the Yorkshire region in its recovery from this pandemic.

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"I hope that the vital services offered by our friendly and approachable teams in our opportunity centres will provide much needed hope and support to the Yorkshire community”.

Young people can enroll on a number of programmes, including vocational courses for 16-19 year olds, and the Accelerate programme which gives them one-to-one support to gain employment skills, an employability qualification and work experience.

Vocational courses are available for those up to aged 24 with an Education, Health and Care Plan.

All Aspire-igen's services have been adapted to provide support in a Covid safe way, with digital tools used to provide support remotely.

The centre can also help provide solutions for those who don’t have access to a computer or laptop or Wi-Fi.

More information about the Leeds opportunity centre can be found here.