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MILLIONS of Brits are facing unemployment because of the coronavirus pandemic, meaning job hunts will be more competitive than ever.
The Office for Budget Responsibility estimates that 1.3 million people who are currently furloughed won’t ever go back to that job – but are heading for unemployment instead.
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At the same time, official statistics show that 131,000 people have left self-employment and are therefore likely to be hunting for new roles.
At the same time, firms up and down the country are falling into administration and announcing redundancies, which means there are fewer vacancies for each person looking for a job.
Sarah Coles, personal finance analyst at Hargreaves Lansdown says: “There are about 20 people going for every job at the moment, and in some areas it’s closer to 50.
“So if your job is under pressure, you need all the help you can get finding a new one.”
Fortunately, there are plenty of government schemes specifically designed to help people looking for work, including several new ones that have been announced to help people struggling because of coronavirus.
Here’s eight little known schemes that can help you get back into work if you’ve lost your job or business.
JobCentre’s rapid response scheme
The JobCentre has a rapid response service, which has lots of tools to help you find a new role.
These include: helping writing CVs and finding opportunities, information on benefits, helping finding training and building new skills and even organising work trials for eligible job seekers.
It may even be able to help you with costs towards your job hunt such as travel to work expenses, childcare and tools and equipment.
You can contact the Rapid Response Service by emailing rrs.enquiries@dwp.gov.uk:
- if you suspect you’re going to be made redundant
- during your notice period
- up to 13 weeks after you’ve been made redundant
Coles says: “If you are claiming Universal Credit, new funding should make it easier to see a work coach at the JobCentre. If you’ve been unemployed for at least three months, the help on offer will be stepped up.”
Top tips if you’re hunting for a new job
FROM brushing up your CV to tailoring application – here’s Hargreaves Landsown’s Sarah Coles’ top tips for getting a new job
Work on your CV
It’s worth using an app that formats CVs for you. Once you’ve completed it, don’t forget to check the grammar and spelling. If you’re unsure of anything an app like grammarly can come in handy.
Sort your social media
LinkedIn is not the most exciting of social networking tools, but it’s invaluable when you’re looking for work. So update it carefully with your skills and experience, and ask people you’ve worked with in the past to add their recommendations.
Make sure you’re listed as looking for work, and keep checking back for vacancies.
Also think about your other social media. If a prospective employer checks it, how will you come across? You can make your profile private if you have any concerns.
Tailor your applications
It’s about quality as much as quantity, so don’t just fire off the same letter and CV to everyone: take the time to tailor it to the skills and experience the company is looking for.
Do a bit of background research on the company and show your knowledge in your letter. You’ll be surprised how many people don’t bother to do this, and how much it will make your letter stand out.
Look beyond the job adverts
Talk to everyone you can think of about your job search All kinds of people may be able to put a good word in for you, and if you have a friend who works for a major employer with a refer-a-friend scheme, it could leave you both better off.
If none if your friends knows of any available work, focus on companies you’d like to work for, and get in touch with a well-researched covering letter and a polished CV asking to be considered for roles that come up.
Careers advice from the National Careers Service
There’s plenty of advice on the National Careers Service website – on everything from possible careers to training and how to get a job.
The government is also funding more tailored advice for more than a quarter of a million people using the service.
It has promised an additional £32 million in funding over the next two years for the National Careers Service so that 269,000 more people in England can receive personalised advice on training and work.
To speak to a careers adviser you can call 0800 100 900 or use the webchat function.
Find a Job service
To help people who have lost their jobs during the crisis, the government set up a Find a Job service.
You need to create an account and then you can search for suitable jobs with 147,000 registered employers.
There are separate sections for jobs facing critical shortages, which aim to encourage you to consider an alternative role in industries with high demand – such as social care.
You should check private job search boards too, such as Monster and Indeed.
The government has also promised £40million to fund a new online, one-on-one job-finding support service for those who have been unemployed for less than three months.
This will be up and running in the autumn, and will be run by a private company rather than the Job Centre.
Apprenticeship schemes
In the eight months from August 2019 to March 2020, over 260,000 apprenticeship starts were recorded.
Now, the government has offered extra cash for businesses that decide to take on apprentices, meaning there should be more vacancies than ever.
Obviously this is a great route for young people starting out, but there are also lots of schemes available for people over-25 who want to move into a new industry.
You can check the government’s website for companies that offer places.
More spaces should be available from 1 August as the government will pay employers £1,500 for every apprentice brought into the business aged 25 and over and £2,000 for everyone under 25.
Coles says: “Sector based workplace academies have been around since 2011, offering training, work experience and a guaranteed interview.
“They’re particularly useful for people who have more to offer than can be demonstrated through their CV, because a prospective employer has the opportunity to see you work before you have your interview.”
Kickstart scheme
If you’re young and struggling to find work, the government is starting a new Kickstart initiative that could be perfect for you.
These offer six-month work placements, and the government will pay you the National Minimum Wage for up to 25 hours a week.
Coles says: “Alternatively, 16-24-year olds can take advantage of a traineeship, which provides work placements and training. Eligibility is being expanded to those with Level 3 qualifications and below.”
Grants for training and learning
There are several different options to help people with learning and training.
These include grants and bursaries that do not need to be paid back, learner support for people aged 19 and over and advanced learning loans for those over 24.
Most grants and bursaries come directly from organisations. They’ll have an application form and will be able to tell you if you qualify.
You can out more about how grants work and where to apply for one
If you’re aged 19 or over, on a further education course and facing financial hardship, you could get Learner Support.
You apply directly to your learning provider for example your college and how much you’ll get depends on your circumstances.
You can apply for an Advanced Learner Loan to help with the costs of a course at a college or training provider in England.
Find out more about the scheme here.
Sector-specific help schemes
Construction has been one of the sectors most hard hit by coronavirus, so the government is stepping in to help.
Later this month, a new Construction Talent Retention Scheme will be launched, which aims to help redeploy people at risk of redundancy.
The government is also creating a new Office for Talent based in No.10, with delivery teams across government departments.
The Office will focus on attracting, retaining and developing top research and science talent across the UK and internationally.
There is help for people who want to save the environment too. The government is investing up to £40 million in a Green Jobs Challenge Fund for environmental charities and public authorities to create and protect 5,000 jobs in England.
The jobs will involve improving the natural environment, including planting trees, restoring habitats, clearing waterways, and creating green space for people and wildlife.
Access to Work scheme
The Access to Work scheme is designed to help people who are disabled or have a physical or mental health condition stay in employment.
The scheme can help you speak to you employers about changes they need to make to support you, and can even provide grants to keep your job accessible.
An Access to Work grant can pay for:
- special equipment, adaptations or support worker services to help you do things like answer the phone or go to meetings
- help getting to and from work.
You can also apply to Access to Work to get money for a communication support worker to go to your job interview with you.
You can use this service if you:
- are deaf or hard of hearing and need a British Sign Language interpreter or lipspeaker
- have a physical or mental health condition or learning difficulty and need communication support
You can find out more and apply online here.
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