Career Support

What they are: Formerly known as The Prince’s Trust, this is a leading UK charity dedicated to helping young people (aged 11–30) find their path.

Key Initiatives You Can Join:

• "Get Into" Programmes: These are short (usually 1–2 week) intensive courses delivered with big brands like Google, Amazon, or the NHS. You get hands-on experience, and many people get a job interview or a qualification at the end.

• The Enterprise Programme: Got a business idea? If you’re 18–30, they provide a free four-day workshop to teach you the basics of business. After that, you get a personal business mentor for up to two years and can even apply for low-interest loans or small grants to get started.

• Development Awards: Sometimes the only thing stopping you from a job is the cost of a uniform, a DBS check, or a bus pass. You can apply for a small grant (money you don't pay back) to cover these "startup costs" for your career.

Link: Kings Trust Website 

What they are: This is the official government service providing free, impartial information and advice on jobs, skills, and training for anyone aged 13 and over.

Key Resources You Should Use:

• The Skills Assessment (Quiz): Not sure what you're good at? Their "Skills Health Check" is a series of fun quizzes that look at your personality and interests, then spit out a list of jobs that actually match who you are.

• Job Profiles (The Encyclopedia): They have over 800 detailed job profiles. Search for "Web Developer" or "Cyber Security Analyst," and it will tell you:

  • Exactly what the starting salary is.

  • The typical "day in the life" tasks.

  • What specific GCSEs, A-Levels, or Bootcamps you actually need.

• 1-on-1 Expert Chat: You don't have to figure it out alone. You can use their Webchat feature to talk to a real human career advisor for free. They can help you tweak your CV or give you advice on how to explain a gap in your employment.

Link: National Careers Service Website 

What they are: A specialist local provider in Leicester that works with the DWP to help people get "job-ready" through training and personalized employment support.

Key Initiatives You Can Join:

• Employability Workshops: Dedicated sessions that help you master the "hidden" skills of job hunting, from writing digital applications to understanding what local Leicester employers are looking for.

• Interview Simulation: Practice your interview technique with experts who give you honest feedback on your body language and answers, helping you get the nerves out of the way before the real thing.

• Digital Skills Training: Short courses designed to boost your tech confidence, ensuring you have the computer skills needed for modern office or tech environments.

Link: Twin Group Employment Website 

*If you are keen on an apprenticeship, we have an internal connection with TwinGroup who may be able to support you with this - Please get in touch with Georgie or Damien to find out more

What they are: A massive network of youth organizations that focuses on "learning by doing" and ensuring every young person has a seat at the table.

Key Initiatives You Can Join:

• The Summer Jobs Programme: A 6-week paid work placement where you are supported by a dedicated youth worker to make sure you aren't overwhelmed.

• Digital Skills Workshops: They often run localized "bootcamps" to help young people from "non-tech" backgrounds learn how to use digital tools for work.

• Voice & Leadership: They offer training to help you become a "Youth Ambassador," which looks incredible on a CV if you want to show leadership potential.

Link: Visit UK Youth - Summer Job Programme

What they are: One of the UK’s largest charities focused on social mobility, helping people find independence through stable, meaningful work.

Key Initiatives You Can Join:

• Supported Internships: These are 6-12 month placements designed for young people with additional needs to help them transition from education into a paid job.

• Change Maker Mentors: You can be matched with a mentor who helps you set goals, build your resilience, and stays with you even after you land a job to make sure you're okay.

• Jump Into Work: A short, "rapid" skills program specifically for 16-19 year olds that focuses on getting you into an apprenticeship or an entry-level role quickly.

Link: Visit Shaw Trust

What they are: Meet a Mentor is a free UK-based community that connects people at the start of their tech journey with experienced professionals—from Junior Developers all the way up to CTOs. They focus on making "human-to-human" introductions to help you navigate the confusing parts of a tech career.

Key Initiatives You Can Join:

• The Matchmaking Service: When you sign up, a real person (not an algorithm) looks at your goals and manually introduces you to a mentor who has "walked in your shoes." You can then chat on Slack, meet for coffee, or have video calls to ask the questions you can't find answers to on Google.

• The Slack Community: You get access to a private, busy Slack group full of hundreds of tech experts. It’s a safe space to ask for CV reviews, get advice on which programming language to learn next, or find out which companies in the UK are actually good to work for.

• Technical Shortcuts: Many of their mentors specialize in specific areas like Java, Python, Cloud, or DevOps. They can share "short cuts and pitfalls," helping you learn in weeks what might have taken them months to figure out on their own.

Link: Visit Meet a Mentor

What they are: A leading organization that works with the government and big brands to make sure the job market is fair for young people, regardless of their background.

Key Initiatives You Can Join:

• Young Professional Training: A free online course that helps you build "soft skills" (like communication and problem solving) that tech bosses look for.

• Youth-Friendly Job Board: A list of vacancies where the employer has been checked to ensure they offer real support, fair pay, and training to young starters.

• Career Events Calendar: A hub showing upcoming virtual and physical career fairs across the UK specifically for students and school leavers.

Link: Visit Youth Employment UK

What they are: Gradcracker is the UK’s careers website specifically for STEM students. They host thousands of opportunities from the biggest names in the tech and engineering world, all in one place.

Key Initiatives You Can Join:

• STEM Job Board: Access thousands of internships, placements, and graduate jobs from over 250 verified STEM employers. You can "follow" your favorite companies to get instant alerts when they post a new opening.

• The Gradcracker Toolkit: A massive library of webinars and "Employer Insights" where you can watch videos of current employees explaining what their interview process was like and what they actually do every day.

• The "STEM Career" App: They have a dedicated app that allows you to manage your applications on the go and receive "nudge" notifications so you never miss a deadline for a tech scheme or placement.

Link: Visit Gradcracker

What they are: A modern job platform that cuts out the jargon and "middlemen" recruiters. It focuses on roles at the most exciting companies, from small startups to tech giants.

Key Initiatives You Can Join:

• Relevant Matches: You tell the site what you actually care about (e.g., remote work, "green" tech, or specific coding languages), and it only shows you jobs that fit.

• Salary Transparency: Unlike many job boards, they push for salary ranges to be visible so you know if a job is worth your time before you apply.

• Company Culture "Sneak Peeks": They provide "honest takes" and unbiased reviews of what it’s actually like to work at a company, so you don't get a nasty surprise on your first day.

Link: Visit Welcome to the Jungle