Help to get a job

Our Employability Support Service is set up to meet the diverse needs of specific groups who can face challenges in the job market. Whether you're a school leaver, a young adult, a parent, or someone overcoming barriers, we’re here to help.

Our service is free and voluntary, and we offer a wide range of support, training, and advice, such as:

• CV and interview help
• in-work support
• confidence building
• counselling
• debt and money advice.

This Employability Support Service is provided by Local Employability Partnership, which is a partnership of council and other organisations in Renfrewshire.

You can use the service if you’re:

• unemployed
• living in Renfrewshire
• and looking to get into work.

We provide:

• a key worker who will help and advise you on your journey towards work
• a better off in work assessment so that you can start to plan your future and maximise your income
• coaching to build confidence and well being support to get you ready to start a job
• financial help with travel, childcare, and work essentials
• career guidance in 1 to 1 support to discuss your options
• work experience and placements, hands on opportunities to gain useful experience
• access to a network of local employers
• chances to develop your skills and do some training – to give you industry-relevant courses and qualifications.

The service is free, and we can help with some of your travel and childcare costs.

School leavers (16 to 18 year olds)

Challenges for this group can include:

• limited work experience or low qualifications
• uncertainty about career pathways
• transitioning from structured education to work or training.

How we help:

• career coaching and CV workshops
• modern apprenticeships and traineeships
• access to college courses and skills boot camps (SBWA)
• employer engagement programmes
• bespoke training designed for you  
• support for securing first jobs. (pastoral support).

Young people (18 to 24 year olds)

Challenges for this group can include:

• high competition for entry-level jobs
• lack of confidence and soft skills
• barriers to higher education and training.

How we help:

• tailored employability training (such as for interviews and applications)
• work placements, traineeships, and apprenticeships
• sector-based academies for in-demand industries
• one-to-one mentoring and peer support networks.

Adults (25 years old and over)

Challenges for this group can include:

• career transitions or redundancy
• skills gaps and outdated qualifications
• confidence in returning to work after long-term unemployment.

How we help:

• reskilling and upskilling opportunities
• job brokerage and employer introductions
• business start-up advice and self-employment support
• specialist support for long-term unemployed individuals.

Parents from priority groups

Challenges for this group can include:

• balancing employment with childcare
• limited access to flexible work opportunities
• financial barriers to returning to work.

How we help:

• family-friendly employment pathways
• flexible training and part-time opportunities
• support with childcare funding and benefits advice
• confidence-building and networking for parents.

People with disabilities and health conditions

Challenges for this group can include:

• accessibility barriers in the workplace
• discrimination and lack of employer awareness
• gaps in employment history.

How we help:

• disability-confident employer partnerships
• tailored job coaching and reasonable adjustment support
• work trials and supported employment models
• advice on Access to Work funding.

People with previous convictions

Challenges for this group can include:

• stigma and employer reluctance
• gaps in skills and work experience
• rebuilding confidence and personal development.

How we help:

• engagement with inclusive employers
• practical training for specific jobs and skills workshops
• support to disclose convictions positively
• peer mentorship and rehabilitation support.

Care-experienced young people

Challenges for this group can include:

• lack of family or financial support
• higher risk of unemployment and unstable housing
• limited access to training and work experience.

How we help:

• trainee programmes
• tailored training and personal development plans
• ongoing support from a mentor
• access to bursaries and financial help.

New Scots and migrant groups

Challenges for this group can include:

• lack of UK work experience and employer expectations
• cultural differences
• language barriers.

How we help:

• multi-lingual staff to provide support
• work experience opportunities to build awareness of different types of work
• language courses and conversation cafes.

How to use the service

If you’d like to find out more about how the Invest Renfrewshire team can help you:

• phone us on 0300 300 1180
• email us at invest@renfrewshire.gov.uk
• visit us at the Russell Institute, 30 Causeyside Street, Paisley, PA1 1UN.

Our opening hours are:

• Monday to Thursday, 8:45am to 4:45pm
• Friday, 8:45am to 3:55pm.