Many employers offer school leavers and young people a first step on the career ladder, providing a great opportunity for you to begin your journey in the world of work and develop your skills, knowledge and experience.
Look at our Jobs Board to see and apply for jobs, Modern Apprenticeships, Graduate Apprenticeships and training programmes.
Look at our Jobs Board to see and apply for jobs, Modern Apprenticeships, Graduate Apprenticeships and training programmes.
To find out more about Modern Apprenticeships, Graduate Apprenticeships and other options available to you when you leave school please see below:
Modern Apprenticeships
Modern Apprenticeships give young people aged 16+ an alternative way of gaining the skills, experience and qualifications to start a career within their chosen sector - without the need to study full-time. This is done through a combination of paid employment, on-the-job training and an accredited qualification at industry-recognised standards. In addition, Modern Apprentices also gain a number of core skills (if required) including communication, numeracy, problem solving, working with others and IT skills. Modern Apprenticeships are available across a wide range of sectors, for example, IT, retail, business administration, hospitality, finance and many more.
Graduate Apprenticeships
Designed by employers and industry specialists, Graduate Apprenticeships have been created with apprentices' development in mind. A Graduate Apprenticeship helps you build the skills and knowledge that Scottish industries need. You'll work, get paid and achieve a degree. You'll spend most of your time learning on the job, but will also be a student at a university or college.
Edinburgh Project SEARCH
Edinburgh Project SEARCH provides employment and learning opportunities for young people with a disability. It is a partnership between the City of Edinburgh Council, NHS Lothian, Edinburgh College and Into Work.
To be eligible you must be between 16 to 29 years old, have a recognised disability, want to secure a full time job (16+ hours), be able to commit full time for one year and be able to travel alone or learn how to do so by the start of the programme.
The programme runs from August to July each year. During the programme you will:
A tutor and two job coaches are based on site to provide classroom learning and in-work support.
To be eligible you must be between 16 to 29 years old, have a recognised disability, want to secure a full time job (16+ hours), be able to commit full time for one year and be able to travel alone or learn how to do so by the start of the programme.
The programme runs from August to July each year. During the programme you will:
- attend 9 am - 4 pm every Monday to Friday during term time
- complete 3 different internships, either within the City of Edinburgh Council or NHS Lothian
- complete 5 hours at the internship and 2 hours in the training room each day
- work towards a qualification and complete Project SEARCH course work
- gain skills needed for work.
A tutor and two job coaches are based on site to provide classroom learning and in-work support.
Activity Agreements
Activity Agreements are an option for school leavers who aren’t feeling confident about taking the next step to college or employment and would benefit from gaining some new skills and increasing their confidence. An Activity Agreement is an individual package of activity and learning that is built around a young person’s needs and interests. This could be a range of activities from music, arts, sport or outdoor activities. The aim is that upon completing an Activity Agreement you will be more confident and feel ready to make the next transition into further education, training or employment.
You must be aged 16 to 19 years old and not be in a job, education or training.
You will receive regular support from an Activity Agreement worker and work on an individual plan to help you reach your goals.
If you are interested please email activityagreements@edinburgh.gov.uk or call 0131 469 3332 to speak to a member of the team.
You must be aged 16 to 19 years old and not be in a job, education or training.
You will receive regular support from an Activity Agreement worker and work on an individual plan to help you reach your goals.
If you are interested please email activityagreements@edinburgh.gov.uk or call 0131 469 3332 to speak to a member of the team.
Employability Training
In Edinburgh, there is a wide range of training organisations who can support young people with their aim of securing employment. All of these organisations have support from employers who are willing to offer a work placement that will allow you to increase your skills, experience and knowledge of the workplace.
Many of these training organisations deliver industry related qualifications alongside the work placement and therefore ask if you have a real interest in that specific industry sector. However, other training organisations deliver more generic qualifications like the Certificate of Work Readiness and can tailor the training you need to the sector(s) you want to secure a job in. Speak to your Careers Adviser to find out more.
Many of these training organisations deliver industry related qualifications alongside the work placement and therefore ask if you have a real interest in that specific industry sector. However, other training organisations deliver more generic qualifications like the Certificate of Work Readiness and can tailor the training you need to the sector(s) you want to secure a job in. Speak to your Careers Adviser to find out more.
Edinburgh College
Edinburgh College is one of Scotland's biggest colleges with around 19,000 students across 4 campuses in Edinburgh and the Lothians. Offering a wide variety of vibrant vocational and academic courses, Edinburgh College provides flexible learning opportunities to suit all learning needs. Whatever path you choose we offer over 700 courses from access to degree level and continuing professional development to help you achieve your future career ambitions.
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