Cost of Living Support
Employment and skills
Our aim is to help people into work, improve their skills and qualifications, increase their opportunities to earn more and to move into a new career by accessing new growth sectors.
Kingston Council Job Opportunities
If you are looking to start a career with the Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames, you can find current opportunities and more about working for the Council on our jobs, careers and volunteering web page,
Green Skills
According to the Local Government Association In 2018 there were 185,000 full-time workers in England’s low-carbon and renewable energy economy. In 2030 across England there could be as many as 694,000 direct jobs employed in the low-carbon and renewable energy economy, rising to over 1.18 million by 2050.
Visit our web pages to find out how to kick start your career in the green economy.
Lifelong learning
You can get new qualifications or upskill for a better job. Some courses are free or subsidised. Find opportunities at:
Kingston Adult Education to ask for help you can email adult.education@kingston.gov.uk or call 020 8547 6700
Richmond and Hillcroft Adult Community College (RHACC)
South Thames College Group (Kingston College)
Jobs and career coaching in Kingston
JobCentre Plus - If you are looking for a new job or thinking about making a change, find out about opportunities or receive support around benefit entitlements at Contact JobCentre Plus for more information on 0800 169 0190 or visit GOV.UK
Thrive Kingston Programme - free one-to-one career coaching for Kingston residents who are aged 24 - 65, receiving any benefits or earning under £30,000 a year. Book your place online.
BITC Job Coaching - provides free job coaching with experienced industry professionals for unemployed residents. Participants receive 1:1 advice from a coach with first-hand experience securing a job and working for a leading UK business.
Room for Work courses are free and can help you to improve your career skills, when you want to return to work, or if you've been away from the workplace for some time. Delivered in small groups and aimed at over 45-year-olds with previous work experience.
Register here to join for 12 session course each Thursday, 10am-12.30pm, Jan 16 to Apr 3, 2025.
The Keepabilty Kingston website provides work, training, educational guidance and resources for military families in Kingston. For a short guide to who to contact and whats available check out their leaflet.
Launchpad:TechStart- Award-winning career coaching social enterprise, Stay Nimble, offer this programme for 18 to 24 year old residents of Kingston, Richmond, Sutton, Merton & Croydon, who are not in education, employment, or training. Opportunity to explore careers in Tech and receive 1-2-1 help understand your strengths and skills, explore your options and get assistance applying for roles.
Numeracy skills
The National Numeracy Challenge aims to improve how people understand and work with numbers in day to day life and empower everyone in the UK to have the numeracy skills that allow them to fulfil their potential at work, home and school.
You can sign up through Kingston’s National Numeracy Partnership online at www.nationalnumeracy.org.uk/challenge/kcsedq
Kingston Adult Education Adult Maths Support provides free courses for adults find out more on our website www.kingston.gov.uk/directory/15/kingston-adult-education-course-directory/category/38
If you’re aged 19+ and have limited maths qualifications, you can get free training to boost your confidence and skills with numbers through London Multiply Programme at www.london.gov.uk/programmes-strategies/jobs-and-skills/london-multiply-programme
National support
Jobhelp Campaign - If you are looking for a new job or thinking about making a change, answer a few short questions to get personalised support, tips and advice.
National Careers Service - Provides careers advice and support for adults in England – in the community (Kingston JobCentre Plus), online and on the phone via 0800 100 900.
Also search for online and classroom courses near you, to help you get a job or develop skills employers are looking for at National Careers Service Find a Course .
Open University via Open Learn - Free digital skills, careers advice and CV templates from the Open University’s Open Door to Success portal.
LinkedIn via Microsoft - LinkedIn's community and resources can help you discover new career paths, learn relevant skills, find jobs that are in-demand and stand out to recruiters.
Returners Toolkit - Returning or exploring returning to work? Getting back to work takes time and commitment. If you are starting to think about returning to work, here are some first steps you can take.
Help to get online
Kingston’s libraries offer free access to PCs and also have free wifi where you can get online and access information. You will find your local library and opening times on the Libraries website.
Kingston Adult Education - provides a wide range of courses including FREE digital skills courses.
Support and advice for businesses
To find support and advice for businesses and the cost for doing business, visit our dedicated webpages