Education, training and events at the Job Shop

Shaw Trust: PowerUp Remote Course Sign-up Session - Wednesday 11 November, from 9:30am to 4pm

Shaw Trust will be here in the Job Shop to sign up customers who are interested to take part in the PowerUp course in November and to answer any questions the customers might have.

November Cohort Start Date: Monday 16 November

This could be a great opportunity for customers looking to build confidence, strengthen their job-search skills and explore opportunities in the growing energy transition sector.

 What’s included?

• Support with CVs, cover letters and interview skills.
• An introduction to energy transition roles and career pathways.
• Guidance to build confidence and connections with employers.

Potential career areas include EV charging, smart meters, recycling, green construction, customer service, retail and hospitality.

Who can join?

• Customers must be aged 18+, unemployed, living in the UK and have the right to work in the UK. 
• They will also need a laptop, access to Microsoft Teams and willingness to take part online.

Eon Retrofit Level 2 City & Guilds Training - Monday 16 November, from 9:30am to 4pm

Eon Retrofit Training Overview

What is Retrofit?

Project Information  

This project is to address local skills gaps and improve access to employment opportunities for underrepresented groups by providing recognised Level 2 training that supports progression into the retrofit, construction and wider energy-efficiency sectors, prioritising people facing barriers to employment.

Detailed syllabus content

LO1: Understand safe working practices for the retrofit industry

Health and Safety at Work Act 1974; Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999.

PPE at Work; PUWER; LOLER; Manual Handling; Work at Height; CDM.

Electricity at Work; gas safety management; pipelines safety; RIDDOR; asbestos; COSHH; PAS 2035.

Consequences of poor standards: financial, emotional, reputational, social and impacts on safe working practices.

Risk assessment: structure, managing risk, PPE, updating, implications, hierarchy and types of control measures.

LO2: Understand the benefits of PAS 2035

Benefits: improved energy efficiency, increased building lifespan, reduced fuel bills, improved comfort, fewer draughts and more even temperatures.

Approaches: maintenance, renovation, refurbishment and retrofit.

Upgrade examples: LED lighting, solar panels, heat pumps, insulation to walls, ceilings and floors, cavity infill, glazing, windows and doors.

LO3: Understand the impact of PAS 2035

Roles and responsibilities: assessors, designer, data collation, planning and accountability, contextualised through the wider retrofit team.

General defects: internal and external defects, checks, water penetration and installation issues.

Whole-home thinking, sequencing, quality, resident experience and the importance of accurate information.

Coventry Learns: Money Matters and Budgeting Session - Thursday 19 November from 11am to 1pm

Feeling stretched, stressed, or like your money just isn’t going far enough?

Money Matters is here to help you take back control—one simple, practical step at a time. In this course we’ll break things down in a way that’s easy to understand and genuinely useful.

You’ll learn how to get a clear picture of where your money is going, set goals that actually feel achievable, and create a budget that works with your life, not against it. We’ll also explore everyday tools and apps that can make managing money less overwhelming—whether that’s tracking your spending, keeping on top of bills, or finding small ways to save without feeling the pinch.

You’ll pick up straightforward tips for saving money, spotting better deals, and making smarter choices with things you pay for regularly—like food, travel, bills, and subscriptions.

 We’ll also talk about the support you might be entitled to through UK benefits and local organisations, plus simple guidance on banking, credit, and staying safe from scams.

 Everything is explained in a friendly, non-judgemental way, focused on real life, real challenges, and real solutions.

 By the end of the course, you’ll leave feeling more confident, more informed, and more able to make decisions that support your financial wellbeing. Small, manageable  changes can make a big difference—and this course shows you exactly where to start.

Better Off In Work benefit calculation -  Alternate Thursday, from 10.30am to 2pm

This session is most effective for customers who are engaging reliably with their Coach and are ready to use the calculation to help narrow and shape their job search.

Connect to Work participants will be given priority, Laura will provide tailored better off calculations to show the customer how moving into work will affect benefit entitlement, and how much better off they are likely to be overall.

Clear illustrations will be provided for:

• full-time work
• different part-time scenarios        
• eligibility to help with childcare costs and/or free hours
• changes they would see to their rent contributions and Council Tax liability

 These will be clearly compared with their current income from benefits, so that they can see the financial difference in real terms.

What to bring

For an accurate, personalised calculation, customers will need proof of their current benefit entitlement. This can be:

• a recent Universal Credit payment statement from their online account, or
• an entitlement letter if they do not have an online claim

Humanise Solutions - Work Ready Programme Cohort - Please check with a member of staff for the next cohort

Humanise Solutions, understand the unique challenges young adults face when preparing for the workplace. They have created programmes designed to equip young adults with the confidence, skills, and mindset needed to successfully enter the workforce, pursue further training or improve their personal mental state and well-being.

Age 18 to 24 only.

What they offer:

• Personal Action Plans & Self-Discovery
• Workplace Readiness Training
• Mental Health & Wellbeing Focus
• Tailored Coaching & Support
• Job Search Support

The programmes use a combination of interactive learning and reflective exercises, including SWOB (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Barriers) assessments and personal action plans. These activities encourage participants to take ownership of their personal and professional development.

They continuously monitor progress through regular feedback, enabling us to adapt the programme to meet the evolving needs of participants. This data-driven approach ensures that each learner receives the support and guidance they need to succeed.

Coventry Learns: Essential Skills Assessment: Maths, English and Digital, know your level - every Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 9.30am to 11.30am 

Are you interested in improving functional skills - Maths, English and Digital?

What is an initial assessment in English, Maths and digital?

An initial assessment is a way to check what you already know and what you need to learn before starting a new course or training.

1. Purpose: To find out your current knowledge and skills.
2. Methods: A number of questions taken on a computer.
3. Benefits: Helps tutors create a learning plan just for you.

Connect to Skills drop-in session - every Wednesday from 9.30am to 4pm

Connect to Skills is a new offer designed to help you build confidence, develop practical skills and explore new learning opportunities. 

Our programme has a range of short, welcoming courses to support everyday life and personal growth:

• Everyday safety skills
• Introduction to warehousing
• Lifesaving CPR
• Understanding SEND
• Safeguarding children from harm
• Cooking on a budget
• Food safety basics
• Building confidence and self-esteem
• Green skills and climate literacy 

Our sessions run in community locations around Coventry, such as Salvation Army, Moat Family Hub and Families for All Hub. Please drop in anytime between 9:30am to 3:30pm on Tuesday in the Job Shop to find out more what short courses are available. 

Green Doctor Energy Saving Advice 1 to 1 - Fortnightly on Wednesday from 9.30am to midday 

The Energy Saving Advisor will provide an initial one-to-one session with customers on alternate Wednesdays to gather details about the support they require to improve energy efficiency. Following this session, a home assessment will be arranged.

What Green Doctor offers:

• Energy-saving advice
• Installation of free energy-saving items
• Support with energy debts
• Guidance on renewable energy

Coventry City Council Job Application Workshop - every Thursday from 11.30am to 1.30pm (Time may vary)

An informal workshop with a presentation designed to help customers complete Coventry City Council applications.

Working together in a small group, we will provide a focused and supportive environment for candidates to learn about how an application form should be completed for Coventry City Council. This also includes Coventry City Council Values.  

We will provide feedback, hints and tips on how to complete a good application form.  We recognise that job hunting can be a lonely environment.  Group members can share their own experiences and will be encouraged and motivated to feel confident in themselves in upcoming interviews. 

This workshop is suitable for candidates looking to either currently applying or are ready to apply for jobs in Coventry City Council.  

Coventry Learns: CV writing and job searching support (Digital Skills) - every Thursday from 1pm to 3pm

The purpose of the CV Writing & Job Searching Session is to support you in your journey into work, study or further training.

The Essential Skills team can facilitate sessions on accessing the internet, sending and receiving emails, creating CVs and carrying out online job searches.

It is recommended by Adult Education, to get maximum benefit of the support available and work towards a qualification, you are encouraged to attend 2 consecutive sessions where possible. 

Please choose the timeslot i.e. 1pm to 2pm or 2pm to 3pm, only 4 people will be allowed for each timeslot.

Coventry City Council: Recruitment Team drop-in session - every Wednesday from 10am to 2pm

The council's recruitment team will be here in The Job Shop every Wednesday from 10AM to 2PM to talk about the available vacancies, application process and how it's like to work for Coventry City Council, etc. If you're interested to work for the council, please come in to speak to the recruitment team!

DWP Midlife MOT - every Thursday from 11.30am to 1pm

What to expect from this workshop:

• Pensions and future planning
• Health & Wellbeing
• Work skills and Training

St Francis Employability 1-to-1 appointment - Fortnightly on Wednesdays from 9.30am to 2.30pm 

St Francis Employability will be in the Job Shop fortnightly on Wednesdays to offer 1:1 appointments for customers interested in the courses they provide, including:

• Customer Service
• Driving Theory
• ESOL Employability
• Food Hygiene
• Health & Safety
• IT

How to apply or enquire:

Please visit the Job Shop to book or email jobshop@coventry.gov.uk.

Advanced booking is required. Please speak with our employment coach to book on.