If you are aged 16 – 24 and are not currently in work, education or training and need support with finding work, CVs, application forms, apprenticeships, college courses or training, please get in touch with the council’s Education team.
Email nextsteps@portsmouthcc.gov.uk for more information
Get advice on how to improve your CV and interview techniques as well as finding a job that is right for you.
If you don’t have internet access at home, find out when computers are available at your local library or community centre. Or use your own laptop, tablet or smartphone in any of the My City WiFi free internet hotspots around the city.
If you rent your home from Portsmouth City Council, your local area housing office can give you help and support to get back in to work. Speak to your housing officer to find out what help is available.
Some of the bigger housing associations in the city also give help and support to tenants who want to find work. Contact your landlord’s customer services team to find out what is available.
If you want to increase your skills, improve your health or work prospects, gain qualifications then the council’s Community Learning Service can help.
Based at the Learning Place in North End the team offer a wide range of adult learning opportunities for our residents. Courses based on supporting work readiness and employability are listed below.
To find out about these courses and all the community learning programmes the team provide, please visit
Apprenticeships mean you can earn a wage while you learn and gain practical skills on the job.
For more information about apprenticeships, visit our apprenticeships page or go to GOV.uk to find an apprenticeship online.
Volunteering is a great way to meet new people and develop your skills to help you find the right job.
Visit the Together in HIVE Portsmouth website to find volunteering opportunities in the city.
While you are looking for work, you can apply for Jobseeker’s Allowance or Universal Credit. To check which of these you can claim, read the information on who must claim Universal Credit.
You should make your claim as soon as possible, because you may have to wait several weeks after you submit your claim for your first benefit payment to be made.
Even if you think you might get back into work quickly, you can still make a claim, and then cancel it once you start work again.
If you would like to gain work experience in a new area, email regeneration@portsmouthcc.gov.uk or phone 023 9268 8542 or 023 9284 1501.
