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23 December 2024

YSEG Alliance rebranded as Opportunities Alliance

The Council's Youth Skills and Employment Guarantee Alliance has rebranded as the Opportunities Alliance. Work Hounslow is now leading the Alliance and hosted its latest meeting at Hounslow House on Monday, 16 December.

Based on feedback from Alliance members, meetings will take place once every three months, with the first meeting of 2025 to occur in March virtually. In addition, to improve the Alliance's communications with local SMEs, Work Hounslow will work closely with West London Chambers of Commerce. 

The Alliance brings together local employers and organisations that have pledged to support young people aged 14-25 and living in Hounslow. The goal is to improve access to skills and employment opportunities for young people across the borough.

Jobs that make a difference - find out more

The Stepping into Support career event will take place on Thursday, 9 January on the 6th floor at Hounslow House from 10am to 1pm. This is a free event for residents interested in pursuing jobs that make a difference in people's lives. 

Featuring key partner charities Certitude, St Mungo’s and Thames Reach which help some of the most vulnerable people in the borough live their best lives, the event will offer employer talks, one-to-one meetings for employers and candidates to discuss live opportunities and career prospect, and Q&A sessions. 

New Work Hounslow website ready

Work Hounslow has refreshed its website - with an improved layout and enhanced functionality for employers and residents accessing skills and employment opportunities in the borough. 

A new employers’ section offers updated information on how the Council can support local businesses. This includes advice on recruitment; guidance on growing an inclusive and diverse workplace; becoming a London Living Wage employer; apprenticeships and the apprenticeship levy; training opportunities and social values.

Local employers can register on the website to access advice and support and promote job opportunities. Residents can also register to connect with the Council’s employment advisors to receive free career information, advice and guidance.

Council helps residents find good work

With funding support from the UK government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, Work Hounslow is empowering residents to find work that pays at least the London Living Wage by launching a tailored career support programme.

90 residents have registered to take part in the six-month programme. They meet with their employment advisors every two weeks to explore career goals, develop personalised career plans, improve CVs, and prepare for job applications and interviews.

Reducing barriers to employment for refugees and asylum seekers 

Refugees and asylum seekers in the borough can get targeted employment support with personalised information, advice and guidance for accessing voluntary and paid work opportunities in the borough. 

Regular career drop-in sessions are taking place at Feltham Community Hub, every Tuesday, 2pm to 5pm. Employment advisors have also been engaging with the group through visits and community outreach events such as volunteer fair and coffee morning session.

Contact Work Hounslow to discuss options to support refugees and asylum seekers on employment. 

Hounslow's National Apprenticeship Week job fair - express your interest 

To celebrate the National Apprenticeship Week (10 -14 February), Work Hounslow will host a free job fair on Thursday, 13 February at Hounslow House from 10am to 3pm. Local and national employers will set up stalls offering live job and training opportunities.  

At last year's event, more than 20 employers and education providers participated, and over 400 residents attended.

Employers recruiting apprentices are welcome to join the job fair to engage with local residents.

Learn Hounslow students gain better access to employment support

To provide better employment support for students at Learn Hounslow, the Council's adult and community education provider, employment advisors have been visiting about 30 classes since the start of autumn term in September. These visits are conducted either in person or virtually. 

During these sessions, employment advisors introduce the service and support offered by Work Hounslow. Students are encouraged to register with the team to discuss their career goals and access support on job applications. 

Free construction training and job opportunities for residents

Bouygues UK, in partnership with MIT Skills and Work Hounslow, is offering free Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) training, work experience for up to two weeks and a guaranteed job interview for residents interested in the construction sector. The programme will run from December 2024 to June 2026.

The developer is building a new NHS Ambulatory Diagnostic Centre at West Middlesex University Hospital located in Isleworth, offering about 50 entry-level roles that work in the construction site and apprenticeship opportunities. 

The Council is working with national developers and local partners, ensuring that new developments not only meet planning requirements but also bring greater benefits to the community. 

Benefits of becoming London Living Wage employers

Left to right: Sally Smith, COO of West London Chambers; Alan Rides, CEO of West London Chambers and Silvia Del Corso, founder and director of PinkSEO at Work Hounslow's London Living Wage info session on 5 November

Employers and organisations can get a one-off discount on their business rates account with the London Borough of Hounslow if they pay the London Living Wage and are accredited with the Living Wage Foundation. Contact the Council's business rates team for further information here. 

Watch a video featuring Silvia Del Corso, founder and director of PinkSEO in Isleworth, as she shares how her company has benefited from the accreditation. 

Work Hounslow can offer free information, advice and guidance to employers for their applications to the London Living Wage.