“ HAVE YOU GOT THE SKILLS ?”
BUILD THE SKILLS YOU NEED & CONNECT TO THE LATEST OPPORTUNITIES
See our Covid-19 update if you’re not in work, education or training!

Dream, Aspire, Believe and Achieve
Youth Skills, now based at the Zone, is led by Karen Chapple and apprentice, Dan Cooke. Whether it’s applying for your first job, finding the right apprenticeship opportunity or just improving a CV – the Youth Skills team are there to help.

Dream, Aspire, Believe and Achieve
Youth Skills, now based at the Zone, is led by Karen Chapple and apprentice, Dan Cooke. Whether it’s applying for your first job, finding the right apprenticeship opportunity or just improving a CV – the Youth Skills team are there to help.
ABOUT YOUTH SKILLS
The Youth Skills team provide a wealth of opportunities to support 13 – 24 year olds from Haverhill and surrounding areas and help them to reach their full potential. They are passionate about improving the outcomes for all local young people and for them the young person comes first.
They do this by:
- Understanding the thoughts and feelings of the young person
- Thinking about and setting achievable targets to work towards
- Encouraging young people to take part in local opportunities
- Highlighting the achievements of local young people
- Signposting young people to other organisations
ABOUT YOUTH SKILLS
The Youth Skills team provide a wealth of opportunities to support 13 – 24 year olds from Haverhill and surrounding areas and help them to reach their full potential. They are passionate about improving the outcomes for all local young people and for them the young person comes first.
They do this by:
- Understanding the thoughts and feelings of the young person
- Thinking about and setting achievable targets to work towards
- Encouraging young people to take part in local opportunities
- Highlighting the achievements of local young people
- Signposting young people to other organisations
YOUTH SKILLS PROJECTS
- Job Hub / CV Writing Club – 1-2-1 support for young people to write CVs, apply for jobs and prepare for job interviews.
- Apprenticeship Project – matching young people with local businesses and helping them to apply for apprenticeships.
- Volunteer Support – encouraging young people to volunteer to gain an insight into the world of work.
- SignPost, Wellbeing Project – project offering support for 16-24-year olds who have a variety of wellbeing, confidence and self-esteem issues.
- Junior SignPost, Youth Wellbeing Project – working with local schools to offer taster sessions for 13-16-year olds who have a variety of wellbeing, confidence and self-esteem issues.
YOUTH SKILLS PROJECTS
- Job Hub / CV Writing Club – 1-2-1 support for young people to write CVs, apply for jobs and prepare for job interviews.
- Apprenticeship Project – matching young people with local businesses and helping them to apply for apprenticeships.
- Volunteer Support – encouraging young people to volunteer to gain an insight into the world of work.
- SignPost, Wellbeing Project – project offering support for 16-24-year olds who have a variety of wellbeing, confidence and self-esteem issues.
- Junior SignPost, Youth Wellbeing Project – working with local schools to offer taster sessions for 13-16-year olds who have a variety of wellbeing, confidence and self-esteem issues.
JOB SEARCH
Before you begin job searching, it would be smart to have a think about the following questions:
- What job would I like to do?
– customer service, teacher, banker, astronaut? - What qualifications do I have?
– qualifications, training, qualities and experience - What job can I do?
– Do I need it to be local? How much do I need to earn? - Do I have an up-to-date CV?
– or do I need to create one / update my current one?
If you need some help with this try using the Source’s CV Builder:
Recommended job search websites:
Icanbea – Jobs & careers in Norfolk and Suffolk
Indeed – search by keyword and area
Reed – search by keyword and area
Recruitment agencies:
HAVE YOU worked out how to get there?
JOB SEARCH
Before you begin job searching, it would be smart to have a think about the following questions:
- What job would I like to do?
– customer service, teacher, banker, astronaut? - What qualifications do I have?
– qualifications, training, qualities and experience - What job can I do?
– Do I need it to be local? How much do I need to earn? - Do I have an up-to-date CV?
– or do I need to create one/update my current one?
If you need some help with this try using the Source’s CV Builder:
Recommended job search websites:
Icanbea – Jobs & careers in Norfolk and Suffolk
Indeed – search by keyword and area
Reed – search by keyword and area
Recruitment agencies:
HAVE YOU worked out how to get there?
APPRENTICESHIPS
Earn while you learn!
Apprenticeships give you an alternative to achieving a qualification in Sixth Form or College, but be prepared as you’ll have to work just as hard!
Here are some basic need-to-know facts about apprenticeships:
- You must work for a minimum of 30 hours per week – learning and gaining experience within the workplace.
- Because you are working, you can earn a minimum of £117 per week (depending on your age and the employer).
- 20% of your week will be spent on gaining your qualification (sometimes this may mean attending college) or completing other forms of training.
- If you didn’t achieve GCSE C/4 in English and/or Maths, you will also have to work on this (and even if you did, you’ll be expected to refresh your skills!)
- Apprenticeship levels vary, from the equivalent of a GCSE through to degree level.
Further information and local vacancies:
Suffolk County Council – apprenticeships info.
GOV UK – Find an apprenticeship service
West Suffolk College – Information / Vacancies
Cambridge Regional College – Information / Vacancies
For local help with apprenticeships: text, call or email Karen or Dan at Youth Skills on: 07463 149045
APPRENTICESHIPS
Earn while you learn!
Apprenticeships give you an alternative to achieving a qualification in Sixth Form or College, but be prepared as you’ll have to work just as hard!
Here are some basic need-to-know facts about apprenticeships:
- You must work for a minimum of 30 hours per week – learning and gaining experience within the workplace.
- Because you are working, you can earn a minimum of £117 per week (depending on your age and the employer).
- 20% of your week will be spent on gaining your qualification (sometimes this may mean attending college) or completing other forms of training.
- If you didn’t achieve GCSE C/4 in English and/or Maths, you will also have to work on this (and even if you did, you’ll be expected to refresh your skills!)
- Apprenticeship levels vary, from the equivalent of a GCSE through to degree level.
Further information and local vacancies:
Suffolk County Council – apprenticeships info.
GOV UK – Find an apprenticeship service
West Suffolk College – Information / Vacancies
Cambridge Regional College – Information / Vacancies
For local help with apprenticeships: text, call or email Karen or Dan at Youth Skills on: 07463 149045
VOLUNTEER
HAVE YOU got spare time?
Volunteering is a good way to gain valuable work related skills and experience.
As well as giving you the feel good factor, volunteering enables you to give something back to your local community and make a difference to the people around you.
Haverhill has some great opportunities on offer including:
Abbeycroft Leisure offers a range of volunteering opportunities, giving you the chance to get involved in all kinds of sporting events, including Park Run!
Suffolk Mind welcomes volunteers and has some local opportunities.
Haverhill Arts Centre sometimes recruits volunteer stewards for outdoor events. If this is something you’d be interested in contact: nick.keeble@haverhillartscentre.co.uk
East Town Park
Become a conservation volunteer and learn new skills! Conservation volunteers meet on Mondays & Wednesdays: 9.30am to 12.30pm. Under 16s need to be accompanied by an adult and under 18s require parental permission. No need to book, but ring the Ranger Service on 01440 710745 for more information before your first visit.
Haverhill Gateway Club – a social club for people with learning disabilities – sometimes needs new volunteers. The club meets on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of each month 7 – 9pm. Call 0333 321 1985 for more info.
Suffolk Infolink has an up to date list of volunteers wanted including opportunities in Haverhill and across Suffolk.
VOLUNTEER
HAVE YOU got spare time?
Volunteering is a good way to gain valuable work related skills and experience.
As well as giving you the feel good factor, volunteering enables you to give something back to your local community and make a difference to the people around you.
Haverhill has some great opportunities on offer including:
Abbeycroft Leisure offers a range of volunteering opportunities, giving you the chance to get involved in all kinds of sporting events, including Park Run!
Suffolk Mind welcomes volunteers and has some local opportunities.
Haverhill Arts Centre sometimes recruits volunteer stewards for outdoor events. If this is something you’d be interested in contact: nick.keeble@haverhillartscentre.co.uk
East Town Park
Become a conservation volunteer and learn new skills! Conservation volunteers meet on Mondays & Wednesdays: 9.30am to 12.30pm. Under 16s need to be accompanied by an adult and under 18s require parental permission. No need to book, but ring the Ranger Service on 01440 710745 for more information before your first visit.
Haverhill Gateway Club – a social club for people with learning disabilities – sometimes needs new volunteers. The club meets on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of each month 7 – 9pm. Call 0333 321 1985 for more info.
Suffolk Infolink has an up to date list of volunteers wanted including opportunities in Haverhill and across Suffolk.
EDUCATION & TRAINING
Haverhill, and the surrounding areas, have all kinds of further education and training opportunities on offer, if you know where to look. Luckily, we’ve compiled a list to help you!
Further Education (16-18 years):
If you’ve completed your GCSE’s (or equivalent qualifications), you may be wondering what to do next. Most often, young people will go onto College or Sixth Form, but apprenticeships and traineeships are an option you may wish to consider too.
** It’s worth noting that you are eligible for a 3 year period of funded study once you leave school (after Year 11), if you are under the age of 19 on 31st August!
Below are some of the most popular local further education centres:
Higher Education (18+):
If you’ve already completed GCSE’s (or similar qualifications) and College or Sixth Form, you might want to be thinking about university. Don’t forget, very occasionally degree level apprenticeships are also available.
Below are some of the most popular local higher education centres:
Adult/Leisure Education:
Maybe you’re more interested in something at a more leisurely pace? There are lots of other opportunities available in the local area.
Below are some of the most popular local adult education providers and centres:
Unsure what you want to do or can’t find what you’re looking for?
Get in contact with Karen or Dan at Youth Skills to discuss your options or contact the provider directly.
There is something for everyone…!
EDUCATION & TRAINING
Haverhill, and the surrounding areas, have all kinds of further education and training opportunities on offer, if you know where to look. Luckily, we’ve compiled a list to help you!
Further Education (16-18 years):
If you’ve completed your GCSE’s (or equivalent qualifications), you may be wondering what to do next. Most often, young people will go onto College or Sixth Form, but apprenticeships and traineeships are an option you may wish to consider too.
** It’s worth noting that you are eligible for a 3 year period of funded study once you leave school (after Year 11), if you are under the age of 19 on 31st August!
Below are some of the most popular local further education centres:
Higher Education (18+):
If you’ve already completed GCSE’s (or similar qualifications) and College or Sixth Form, you might want to be thinking about university. Don’t forget, very occasionally degree level apprenticeships are also available.
Below are some of the most popular local higher education centres:
Adult/Leisure Education:
Maybe you’re more interested in something at a more leisurely pace? There are lots of other opportunities available in the local area.
Below are some of the most popular local adult education providers and centres:
Unsure what you want to do or can’t find what you’re looking for?
Get in contact with Karen or Dan at Youth Skills to discuss your options or contact the provider directly.
There is something for everyone…!