Volunteers will be matched with around 30 young people aged 18-24 based upon mutual interests and will aim to develop positive personal relationships to help normalise fears about work and adult life, and provide space to talk informally about social anxieties.

It is the first of a range of initiatives Fedcap has been developing through working alongside young people in a series of focus groups and workshops, to complement our ongoing work to support individuals into sustainable employment.

“We’re seeing an increasing number of young people struggling to secure work in today’s job market,” said Susan Paterson, Executive Director of Fedcap Employment. “From listening to young people, the same two themes keep being repeated – a lack of work experience and awareness; and social anxiety and fear of the workplace.”

Fedcap has found that structural shifts in the labour market have reduced the informal entry points that once helped young people build experience and confidence. Weekend jobs, entry-level roles, and early workplace exposure have declined in many areas, particularly since the COVID-19 pandemic.

The pilot youth mentoring programme, which will initially be rolled out across South Central England, will be bolstered by Fedcap-initiated employer awareness days – giving young people the chance to spend time inside real organisations, see what a typical working day looks like, and help demystify the workplace.

Susan added: “Many young people simply don’t know what different jobs look like in reality, or the variety of career paths available to them. For many, the idea of being in a workplace feels intimidating and overwhelming. This isn’t about motivation – it’s about confidence, exposure, and feeling like they belong.”

This follows a recent report by Fedcap’s Community Impact Policy Institute, recommending ways to end youth inactivity which highlighted the need for universal access to meaningful work experience to help young people improve their economic mobility.

“Recommendations to End Youth Inactivity in the UK: A National Framework for Re-Engagement”, builds on Fedcap’s integrated approach to supporting young people to improve their economic mobility – providing structured, personalised support that combines employability services, skills development, and health interventions.

Read the report here

The post Fedcap Launches Youth Mentoring Programme to Tackle Rising NEET Levels for People Under 25 appeared first on Fedcap.

The programme will provide subsidised training opportunities for installers and retrofit professionals across all five of the Government’s Net Zero Hubs, including installing insulation and solar panels in homes and non-domestic properties.

The programme will build competence and capacity in the retrofit supply chain to deliver energy efficiency installations in support of the government’s Warm Homes Plan to improve homes across the country by making them cleaner and less expensive to run.

The Verdancy Group through its Apex Training Centres will provide level 2 and 3 accredited courses in understanding domestic retrofit, solar PV installer and operator, and insulation and building treatments.

Steven Kiakowski, Director of The Verdancy Group, said: “Businesses will benefit from support to upskill their workforce in green skills, which in turn will help organisations and households access high-quality energy efficient improvements.

“Our industry-accredited training is aimed at those already working in the sector and those looking to embark on a new career.”

Brian Bell, Fedcap’s Lead in the UK, said: “We’re excited to have been chosen by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero to address critical skills gaps in the retrofit industry, helping organisations build workforce capacity for a low-carbon economy and support the delivery of the Government’s Warm Homes Plan.”

Retrofit and clean energy careers offer not only the chance to make a real impact on the UK’s Net Zero goals, but also strong prospects for progression, stability, and security. The wider green economy already supports nearly 700,000 full-time equivalent jobs across the UK, an increase of more than 30% since 2015 (ONS, 2025).

On average, jobs in the Net Zero economy pay around 23% more than the UK average salary (Energy UK), highlighting the value of equipping more people with the skills to access such rewarding careers. With demand for skilled workers continuing to rise, this programme will open pathways for people to progress from entry-level roles into highly skilled, future-proof careers in a sector that is only set to grow.

The Warm Homes Skills Programme is designed to open up these rewarding pathways, helping people access training that leads to well-paid, future-proof careers in a sector that is only set to grow.

The post Fedcap’s The Verdancy Group Selected to Deliver Warm Homes Skills Training Across All Net Zero Hubs appeared first on Fedcap.

Fedcap launched the Apex Clean Energy Training Centre in January. The centre’s first programme is a comprehensive 12-week industry-led course designed to prepare individuals for careers in solar photovoltaics installation and operations, with no prior experience required.  

Learners are benefiting from hands-on technical training, developing employability skills, and earning accredited certifications, equipping them with the knowledge and experience needed to succeed in this rapidly growing industry.   

Luke Murphy MP cut the ribbon on the training centre on Friday 2 May and met some of Fedcap’s first solar panel installation graduates as they demonstrated putting their skills into action.   

Brian Bell, President of Fedcap Employment, said: “This programme is the first in our suite of clean energy career initiatives to meet the priorities set out by the UK’s Office for Clean Energy Jobs, addressing the critical skills gap and enabling individuals to access sustainable, high-quality jobs. We look forward to seeing many more people graduate from our courses with the skills and accreditations needed to build an exciting and rewarding career.”  

This initiative marks the international expansion of Fedcap’s parent organisation, The Fedcap Group’s Apex Technical School, a leading provider of high-demand vocational training programmes in the US. For more than 60 years, Apex Technical School has taught high-quality vocational programmes which have led to sustainable, well-paying jobs.    

The post Basingstoke MP opens Apex Clean Energy Training Centre and meets first solar panel installation graduates appeared first on Fedcap.

Inspiring Futures, delivered by not-for-profit organisation Fedcap on behalf of Cheshire East Council, offers personalised support for people who are economically inactive and would like support to get back into the workplace.   

With 120 people now in work and progressing their careers, Cheshire East Council has extended Inspiring Futures for another year, allowing Fedcap to continue to make a positive impact in the area. By embedding itself in communities across Cheshire East and recruiting locally, Fedcap has delivered 37% Social Value Return on Investment into communities in Cheshire East. 

Councillor Jill Rhodes, Chair of Adults & Health Committee at Cheshire East Council, said: “The impact of this programme has been phenomenal not only to the individuals who participated, but to the local voluntary sector and the business community, by highlighting the benefits of employing people with additional needs / disabilities and all of the positives that this can bring.  

“Offering organisations support around reasonable adjustments and wellbeing for employees has enabled barriers to be broken down, and lives to be changed for the better.” 

Brian Bell, President of Fedcap Employment, said: “I’m proud we’ve supported over 200 local people with disabilities or long-term health conditions in pursuit of their goals, with more than half achieving paid employment or meaningful volunteering, exceeding all programme targets. 

“At Fedcap, we understand the difficulties people face when looking for work and staying in a job. As supported employment specialists, we get to know people to better understand their aspirations. This helps us match people to local employers, and by working hand in hand we can meet the needs of both, ensuring people progress into roles and, crucially, stay in work.” 

The programme focuses on individuals’ abilities, promoting their skills to local employers. Once people secure roles – whether paid or voluntary, depending on their circumstances, Fedcap continues to provide support, working with employers to meet individual needs and help participants thrive in the workplace.

The post Programme helping people with disabilities and health conditions find work in Cheshire East extended appeared first on Fedcap.

As the employability sector celebrates ‘Employability Day’ today (13 September), our 25 offices across the UK have hosted meet-and-greet sessions between employers and customers, who we’re supporting to find sustainable jobs.

And we’re celebrating reaching 100,000 starts on our programmes in the last five years.

In Scotland, we’ve teamed up with holiday park operator, Haven, to give our customers a taste of some of the careers on offer to inspire them while on their employment journey with us.

Our Ayr office arranged for customers to visit the Craig Tara Caravan Holiday Park to explore what opportunities are on offer there, from cleaning, activities and leisure posts to joining the bar, restaurant and kitchen teams.

And in Reading, our office hosted a visit from the University of Reading recruitment team to speak to our customers about the wide range of opportunities in higher education.

Brian Bell, CEO of Fedcap, said: “Employability Day is a fantastic opportunity to celebrate the work of our sector that supports thousands of people a year to transform their lives.

I’m very proud to announce that Fedcap has reached the fantastic milestone of supporting 100,000 customers and want to pay tribute to our people for the incredible work that they do.

“Our network of offices works very closely with local employers to help them fill vacancies.

We’ve had dozens of our employers including local, national and international companies, coming into our offices and meeting our customers to talk about the opportunities they have available.

“And this year, we’ve been able to take customers to businesses to give them real-world experience of the rewarding roles that are out there. We hope today’s events will result in even more people moving into sustainable employment.”

Eileen Potter from Haven’s Craig Tara Caravan Holiday Park, said: “We’re delighted to be working with Fedcap to give their customers an opportunity to visit our premises and find out more about the roles and vacancies we have on offer.”

Siobhan Kerr, Resourcing and Recruitment Manager at University of Reading, said: “We enjoy coming to Fedcap regularly. It’s a great way to spread the word about the kinds of roles we have, as well as give advice to Fedcap candidates on how to apply for roles they are interested in. The Fedcap team are knowledgeable, helpful and always friendly!”

The post Fedcap’s a haven for employability support appeared first on Fedcap.

Inspiring Futures Supported Employment and Training Service is being delivered by not-for-profit organisation Fedcap, on behalf of Reading Borough Council.  

The service focuses on finding roles for individuals within a work environment which can be adapted to people’s circumstances and specific needs. 

Fedcap looks at what people can do and promotes them and their skills to local employers. Once people secure roles, which may be paid, voluntary, internship or work experience, Fedcap continues to support them by working closely with employers to address any needs the individual may have to help them stay in work. 

Brian Bell, Fedcap CEO, said: “We’re excited to be working with Reading Borough Council on this new service to support people with autism and/or learning disabilities find sustainable employment.  

“People develop greater confidence and self-esteem while in work, which also supports their health and wellbeing. This can, in turn, reduce pressures on local health and mental health services.” 

Councillor Paul Gittings, lead councillor for Adult Social Care at Reading Borough Council, said: “As a service we are committed to supporting the lives that matter to our residents. 

“For our residents with a learning disability and/or autism, this means finding out what they can do and building on those strengths. This could lead to a volunteering opportunity or paid work within an organisation which can support and guide them. 

“The benefits of these opportunities are many and have a positive impact on their health and wellbeing. Roles can improve self-esteem and confidence alongside skills which will help them in everyday life and future employment or voluntary opportunities. 

“We look forward to seeing our residents in roles all around Reading.” 

Inspiring Futures Supported Employment and Training Service is open to people aged 18 to 65 years in Reading who have autism and/or learning disabilities which impacts on them looking for or staying in a job.  

For more information visit www.fedcap.org.uk/employment/IFReading 

The post New employment service for people with autism and/or learning disabilities launched in Reading appeared first on Fedcap.

In 2022, SOCOTEC made a commitment by signing up for the Government’s Disability Confident scheme with help from employability support specialists, Fedcap.

Guided by our Employer Solutions team, SOCOTEC helped to change our customer’s lives and extend that support into its recruitment and business practices to offer an inclusive workplace for all its staff.

With 42 offices nationwide, SOCOTEC offers Fedcap customers across England entry-level jobs with career progression opportunities. We’ve placed customers into roles with SOCOTEC who needed extra support and reasonable adjustments to sustain their roles.

Since its pledge to becoming Disability Confident, 37% of our customers are still employed by SOCOTEC, 25% have found progression opportunities and 12.5% worked with the company until retirement.

As a Disability Confident Leader, SOCOTEC has demonstrated its dedication to creating an inclusive workplace for all and has pledged to share its positive practices with its supply chain.

Lisa Massey, HR Director at SOCOTEC, said: “We’ve been on an amazing journey with Fedcap, working in partnership to help candidates feel understood. We’re proud to be an organisation that can adapt our job opportunities to a diverse pool of candidates, see their lives change for the better and watch them flourish.”

Ryan King, Head of Employer Solutions at Fedcap, said: “Seeing SOCOTEC lead by example really demonstrates how, working together, we can improve the lives of our customers and offer a wider range of job opportunities to individuals in their local community.”

The post Fedcap supports national employer to become Disability Confident Leader Level 3 appeared first on Fedcap.

Fedcap is delivering the Inspiring Futures programme on behalf of Cheshire East Council to help people with health conditions go into voluntary and paid work. The supported employment programme finds roles that suit the needs of customers and encourages employers to create reasonable adjustments to create a more inclusive workplace and help people stay in work.

When our Occupation Inclusion Specialist Becky Smith, met Bethany and Jenny from Bright and Wonderful Care to talk about the programme and our services, it became clear that they were enthusiastic about offering inclusive adjustments for their employees. Becky encouraged Bright and Wonderful to take the next step in becoming an inclusive employer and sign up to Disability Confident Level 1.

Bright and Wonderful Care offers a variety of roles to suit different circumstances as they provide respite for families with special educational needs and comorbid conditioned children by supporting them on days out in the community, including visits to specialised fully inclusive venues and night sits when required.

Bright and Wonderful Care is now a Disability Confident Level 1 Employer offering a fully inclusive recruitment process and have placed three Inspiring Futures customers into roles with reasonable adjustments.

For more information about becoming Disability Confident contact us.

The post Customers heading for a ‘Bright and Wonderful’ future appeared first on Fedcap.

A partnership between Fedcap and hotel chain Travelodge which has seen us working together to create sustainable jobs for our customers has expanded.

We have been working with Travelodge to successfully place our Restart customers in South Central England since the beginning of the scheme in 2021.

We are now extending the partnership across all of our contracts in the UK.

Our customers already working at Travelodge, enjoy working in a friendly and fast-paced environment with flexible working hours available – just like Maria.

Maria had left her longstanding cleaning role due to ill health. We supported Maria by preparing her for roles when she would recover fully.

She expressed a passionate interest in hospitality as she previously spent time working in a hotel. Thankfully, Maria managed to have the operation needed to enable her to comfortably go back into employment.

As a result, we were able to source a front-of-house role working with Travelodge. Maria is enjoying the role with Travelodge and is looking to progress within the company.

If you’d like to work in partnership with Fedcap to meet your diversity, recruitment, and social objectives, please contact our team:

The post Partnership makes more room for hotel jobs appeared first on Fedcap.

The post National employer commits to supporting jobseekers with health conditions appeared first on Fedcap.