Education, training and events at the Job Shop

VAC: Improving Lives Information Session - Monday, 17 August, from 11am to 1pm

Would you like some support to volunteer and build confidence? Come and join the Information Session with VAC in The Job Shop!

Improving Lives Programme

• Provider: Voluntary Action Coventry (VAC)
• Course Name: Improving Lives
• Start Date: 8 September 2026
• Duration: 6 weeks
• Delivery: Free, in-person course
• Days/Times: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 10:30am to 12:30pm
• Location:  Coventry - TBC
• Eligibility: Individuals looking to build confidence, improve wellbeing, develop new skills, explore volunteering opportunities, and gain experience to support their future goals. 18 plus living CV1 – CV6 and NEET.
• Course Content:
  • Build confidence and self-esteem
  • Learn new skills and develop existing ones
  • Explore volunteering opportunities in Coventry
  • Learn about local community groups and support services
  • Take part in group visits and volunteering activities
  • Develop a CV and improve job application and interview skills
  • Set goals and plan a volunteering and/or employment journey
• Benefits:
  • Increased confidence and wellbeing
  • Improved employability skills
  • Valuable volunteering experience
  • Greater awareness of local support and opportunities
• Additional Information: Free bus tickets available for participants. Voluntary Action Coventry has over 60 years of experience supporting volunteers and helping people progress towards employment and personal development.

Bright Direction Training: SIA Security Sign Up - Monday 17 August, from 1pm to 2.30pm

Learn more about the SIA security course in Coventry and be prepared to enroll:

Location: Radio Plus, 101.5 Hertford Place, Coventry, CV1 3JZ
Duration: 19 days over 4 weeks (10:00am to 5:00pm)
Course Dates: 21 September 2026 to 14 October 2026

Who can apply?

• Aged 19+ (must have turned 19 before 31 August 2026)
• Resident in the West Midlands
• Have the right to work in the UK
• Unemployed or earning less than £36,126 per year
• Have not previously completed the same qualification
• Good level of reading and writing
• Valid photo ID and an email address
• Able to pass the SIA criminality checks

What does the course include?

• Employability skills and careers guidance for the security sector
• ACT Counter Terrorism training
• CV and interview support
• Level 3 Emergency First Aid at Work
• Level 2 Award for Working as a Door Supervisor
• Support with applying for an SIA licence

Additional benefits

• DBS funded by the provider
• SIA licence paid for by the provider upon successful completion
• Ongoing learner reviews and progression support

Employment Outcome Successful learners will gain the qualifications and licence required to work as a Door Supervisor and may also be eligible for Security Guard roles, opening up a range of opportunities within the private security industry.

Please ask customers to bring a form of photo ID (2 forms of ID if possible) and check the below! 

1. Must have valid photo ID- Passport, provisional or driving licence, or original birth certificate (not a certified copy)
2. Would need to bring one passport size photo to sit exams
3. Must have an email address
4. Must complete criminality link to ensure customer is eligible for SIA badge

Barnados: Amazon Cohort Information Sessions - Tuesday 18 August, from 10.30am to 2pm (Morning Session) and 1.30pm to 4.30pm (Afternoon Session)

Over the 8-week programme, participants will receive a combination of personal development, employability, and wellbeing support, including:

• Understanding anxiety and managing its impact in everyday life and the workplace
• Building confidence, resilience, and self-esteem
• Communication and interpersonal skills
• Team-building activities and group projects
• Employability skills and workplace expectations
• CV development and job application support
• Interview preparation and mock interviews
• Time management and organisation skills
• Problem-solving and decision-making
• Managing change and adapting to new environments
• Digital skills for employment
• Financial wellbeing and budgeting awareness
• Employer engagement sessions
• Preparation for Amazon recruitment processes
• Ongoing one-to-one mentoring and support

Eligibility criteria

• 18 to 29 years old
• Have the right to work in the UK
• Not currently in education, employment, or training (NEET) and have never worked at Amazon before
• Must have no criminal convictions and be able to pass a background check
• Able to attend three sessions per week (Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday) at the Coventry Boys and Girls Club, 50 Whitefriars St, Coventry CV1 2DS.
• Speak English at Entry Level 3 or above
• Experience anxiety in some form that may be affecting daily life, confidence, wellbeing, or ability to access employment or training. This could include anxiety related to personal circumstances, social situations, interviews, the workplace, financial pressures, family responsibilities, or other life challenges. The programme is designed to support young people who feel that anxiety is a barrier to achieving their goals, whether or not they have a formal diagnosis. Participants should be willing to engage with the support available to help build confidence, resilience, and employability skills.

Progression Opportunity

Upon successful completion of the programme, participants will receive a guaranteed interview with Amazon for an Associate position, providing a direct route into employment.

This programme is designed to help young people overcome barriers to employment, increase confidence, improve wellbeing, and develop the skills needed to secure and sustain work.

In Work Benefit Calculation -  Every 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.

AES: Essential Skills Assessment: Maths, English and Digital, know your level - every Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 9.30am to 11.30am (will suspend during 17 August to 13 September)

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 Tuesday from 9.30am to 3.30pm

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

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.  

AES: CV writing and job searching support (Digital Skills) - every Thursday from 1pm to 3pm (will suspend during 17 August to 13 September)

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

RISE Resilience, Insight, Social skills and Emotional Regulation Workshop - Please check with a member of staff for the next cohort

The RISE workshops will cover the important topics of Resilience, Insight, Social Skills, and Emotional regulation as they relate to gaining employment and staying in employment.

The aims of these workshops are as follows:

• to increase resilience in a challenging employment landscape
• to gain insight into one’s automatic pattern of thoughts, feelings, behaviours that may be self-sabotaging and maladaptive, and to facilitate changes that are more in keeping with a growth mindset (as opposed to fixed mindset)
• to enhance one’s social skills so one can navigate the workplace and other social situations

To understand the importance of emotional regulation and ways of reframing and managing aversive (negative) emotions in a more positive and 

After the workshops, the anticipated outcomes are:

• immediate use of psychological tools that can be used to enhance resilience, insight, social skills, and emotional regulation
• facilitate increased cognitive flexibility and adaptability in a rapidly changing employment market, and to understand that one has a lot more agency and control than they think
• Understanding the importance of habit, attention, focus, and goal setting
• to instil a sense of optimism and confidence amongst attendees so they can proceed with further training, courses, and apply for jobs with more confidence, all via the job shop

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.