Careers, jobs and volunteering

Information about careers, jobs and volunteering in Leeds.

Please see below for information about careers, jobs and volunteering in Leeds.

Careers Jobs and Volunteering

SEND Next Choices: Creating Pathways to Employment

SEND Next Choices Logo

 

SEND Next Choices is part of Leeds City Council’s commitment to making Leeds a more inclusive city, where every young person can access meaningful opportunities and fulfil their potential. You can find out more here.

Annual Careers Events

Leeds Apprenticeship Recruitment Fair – February

  • The Leeds Apprenticeship Recruitment Fair is the largest apprenticeship recruitment event in the north.
  • 100+ exhibitors offering apprenticeships in all sectors.
  • A help and support services zone.
  • For the first time this year the event included a ‘meet and greet’ service, offering visitors additional support and guidance to navigate the venue and support them with getting the best out of the event.

  • Introduction of a quiet hour for 2027.

Find out more here.

Local Offer Live – March 

  • An event aimed at young people with SEND and their families to receive information, advice and guidance along with employment and training opportunities.
  • The event will include a new post‑16 showcase, highlighting education, training, supported internships, apprenticeships and employment options. 

Explore the various drop-down on this page for more information.

Scope Jobs Fair – June  

  • Scope are hosting a jobs and employability fair in partnership with Leeds City Council in June.
  • The event will be accessible and showcase live vacancies from employers. It will be held at the Scope Community Hub in Leeds.  

Find out more here.

STEMFEST – July

  • A national initiative which will take place in Leeds over 2 days on 1st and 2nd of July at Events North in Kirkstall.
  • The event aims to celebrate and promote science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) through interactive, engaging and hands on experiences.

Find out more here.

Autisticon – July 

  • AutistiCon is a free, annual autism information and community event held in Leeds, created to celebrate autism and neurodiversity and to share accurate, lived‑experience‑led information.
  • The event brings together autistic people, families, carers, professionals and allies, with information stalls from local services alongside talks by autistic speakers and autism professionals
  • AutistiCon is designed as a safe, welcoming and accessible drop‑in event, with quiet spaces and sensory‑aware planning, allowing people to attend for as long or as short a time as they need. 

Find out more here.

Next Gen – October

  • Next Gen is a careers and choices fair aimed at young people, particularly Year 10 and Year 11 students, to help them explore what options are available after GCSEs. It takes place in October at Events North.
  • It brings together FE colleges, sixth forms, apprenticeship providers, training organisations and local employers all in one place. 

Find out more here.

Careers in Leeds – November 2026 

  • A new major cross sector careers event offering direct access to employers across all industries in the city.
  • The event will include a dedicated quiet hour, ensuring a calm and accessible environment.
  • There will be a support services zone, inclusive zone, interesting careers talks and direct access to employers with opportunities across all sectors which responds to feedback from previous SEND next choices events.

Find out more here.


 

 

Apprenticeships

An apprenticeship may be a good option for young people when they leave school.

An apprenticeship is a paid job where a person learns while they work.

People can start an apprenticeship after they leave school. Some apprenticeships may ask for qualifications in English and maths. There can be a lot of people applying for the same apprenticeship.

During an apprenticeship, a person will:

  • Work for an employer
  • Earn a wage
  • Learn new skills
  • Receive training and support
  • Work alongside experienced staff
  • Study towards qualifications
  • Have time during work hours to complete their training

Apprenticeship Levels

You can do an apprenticeship at any of these levels, depending on your ability:

  • Intermediate apprenticeship (Level 2) on completion this is equivalent to 5 GCSEs.
  • Advanced apprenticeship (Level 3) on completion this is equivalent to 2 A-Levels.
  • Higher apprenticeship (Level 4) on completion this is equivalent to a foundation degree.
  • Degree apprenticeship (Level 6).
  • Masters apprenticeships (Level 7).

You can move up through the apprenticeship levels and make progress in your career.

What are the benefits of an apprenticeship?

An apprenticeship can offer many benefits, including:

  • Earning money while learning
  • No course fees to pay, as training costs are paid by the employer or the government
  • Learning skills in a real workplace
  • Gaining qualifications while working
  • Building experience for future jobs and careers

More information

To find out about all the different types of apprenticeships and what they involve visit: http://www.instituteforapprenticeships.org/. 

To find out about companies that offer apprenticeships in Leeds visit: https://www.inclusivegrowthleeds.com/leeds-apprenticeship-hub 

To find current apprenticeship job vacancies that you can apply for today visit: https://www.gov.uk/apply-apprenticeship 

Click here to listen to local apprentices tell you what it’s like to do an apprenticeship.
 

Supported Internships

A supported internship is a programme for young people aged 16 to 24 who have an Education, Health and Care (EHC) Plan.

Supported internships help young people gain skills and experience to prepare for paid work.

Young people usually:

  • Work with an employer for around 3 days each week
  • Learn skills for a real job
  • Receive support from a job coach at work
  • Spend time at college learning skills such as English, maths and finding a job

A job coach helps young people understand their role and build confidence at work.

  • Click here to read more about support internships
  • Click here to download the supported internship information booklet

In the video below you can hear from Leeds City College and Lighthouse Futures Trust. They explain what a supported internship is, how they work and how to find out more. This video was recorded on Tuesday 25 June 2024 during the SEND Next Choices event at the Leeds arena. 

Where can I do a supported internship in Leeds?

Lighthouse Future Trust 18 to 25 years old

Lighthouse Futures Trust is based in Headingley, Leeds.

They support young adults with autism and learning disabilities to develop the skills they need for employment.

Pre-Internships with Lighthouse Futures Trust

The pre-internship programme lasts for 10 months.

It is for young people who would like a job in the future but are not yet ready for a supported internship.

The programme focuses on:

  • Building confidence
  • Developing work skills
  • Improving wellbeing
  • Learning English and maths, where needed
  • Preparing for work experience

Young people learn in small groups and take part in different activities, including visits to local businesses.

Internships with Lighthouse Futures Trust

The supported internship programme also lasts for 10 months.

Young people:

  • Spend 3 to 4 days each week with an employer
  • Work in a real job role
  • Receive support from job coaches
  • Spend 1 to 2 days each week in college
  • Develop work and life skills
  • Study English and maths if needed

Towards the end of the programme, job coaches help young people look for paid employment.

Contact Details: 


Leeds City College (16 to 24 years old)

Leeds City College offers supported internships for young people with learning difficulties, disabilities, or those who need extra support.

The programme combines learning in college with work experience.

Young people usually:

  • Spend 1 day each week at college
  • Spend 2 days each week in a work placement
  • Learn job skills in a real workplace
  • Build confidence and independence
  • Develop skills for future employment

Students receive support from specialist job coaches throughout the programme.

The aim is to help young people move into paid work.

To apply, students must:

  • Be a current Leeds City College student
  • Be able to travel independently
  • Have at least 6 months of work experience in the same area of work

Contact details: 

What to do next

Young people and families can contact the organisations above to ask about applying for a supported internship.

Employment and Skills Leeds, part of Leeds City Council, can also provide free and impartial information about supported internships. Email: esemployers@leeds.gov.uk 
 

Supported Internships – information for employers

A supported internship is a work-based programme for young people aged 16 to 25 with support needs. They must have an Education Health Care Plan (EHCP). They may initially require some slight adjustments and extra support in the workplace before they become fully independent.

There are currently 1,600 supported internship placements in the UK. Recent research has shown that they are highly effective in terms of helping young adults with support needs move into paid employment

How does a supported internship work?

A local education provider – usually a college – will set up a supported internship programme. They will recruit students who have a keen desire to move into paid employment. They are enrolled on a study programme where they develop social and employability skills as well as studying towards qualifications in Maths & English (where needed).

The programme helps develop workplace skills such as: professional communication; working in a team or independently; and workplace safety. They are also supported in terms of increasing their self-confidence and developing resilience.

Students spend an average of three days a week on an employer site, usually in an entry-level role, in a variety of areas including: IT; data management; catering; hospitality; front-of-house; laboratories; retail; post-room; warehousing; grounds maintenance and more. The employer identifies one or more ‘buddies’, from amongst their own staff, who will work alongside each intern.

They will receive appropriate training from the education provider on how to support the intern and ensure they perform to the best of their ability. The college will also provide a specialist job or work coach who will be based at the employer site (for some or all of the time). They focus on helping interns develop broader employability and social skills. Their role is to listen, support, encourage, coach, mentor and challenge students, in a supportive and safe environment. They also provide a vital link between the interns, the education provider and the employer.

Click here to download the supported internship guide for employers.

If you have any questions please contact the Employment and Skills Leeds, part of Leeds City Council, at esemployers@leeds.gov.uk 

Volunteering

Doing Good Leeds (18+ years)

Volunteering can be a life-changing experience, for the people that volunteers help and for you – the volunteer! There’s an opportunity to suit everyone and the Volunteer Centre Leeds team can support you into the right opportunity – particularly if you need a little extra help.
Volunteer Centre Leeds (a project of VAL) and has partnered with Be Collective to bring a dedicated Volunteer Platform to Leeds to help connect more people with meaningful volunteer opportunities. It’s packed with great features for volunteers, like creating a profile and collecting skills gained on a social CV you can download.

Search for volunteering opportunities here.

The Volunteer Centre is based in Leeds City Centre in the food court area of Leeds Kirkgate Market. There is a wheelchair ramp that can be accessed and there are no stairs within Kirkgate Market for customers. Large print forms are also available.


National Citizens Service (15 to 17 year olds)

National Citizens Service (NCS) is a three-part programme for 15-17 year olds. It’s perfect for boosting CV experience, statements of achievement, and UCAS forms. It’s also an unforgettable experience which builds confidence and independence. We run the programme during summer, autumn half term, and autumn term time.

Our aim is to run a socially mixed programme which is available to all eligible young people. We believe that the greatest benefits come from young people from all backgrounds mixing together, and benefiting from the understanding and support of their peers.

We try our best to accommodate young people who have a variety of needs and this is done on a case by case basis.

In light of this, places on the programme are conditional on providing a completed application form. After we review an application form, further details may need to be discussed before a young person’s place is confirmed, particularly if the young person has support needs.

Contact Details:


People Matters (18+ years)

Volunteering for People Matters is a very rewarding experience. There are lots of opportunities for volunteers both with and without learning or other disabilities to get involved in different groups and activities. Volunteer expenses are paid, there is a volunteer's handbook and training is provided.

Contact Details: 

Hollybush Conservative Centre (Adults)

There's lots going on down at Hollybush! We are part of The Conservation Volunteers and are a registered charity.

We are the charity that transforms lives, communities and greenspace across the UK.

If you just have a spare hour or so, pop down and have a wander around our wonderful garden and visit the cafÈ for a drink and some cake. Kids and dogs are very welcome!

You can make an afternoon of it and have a lovely walk along the canal, which is particularly nice in the summer months.

If you have a little more time and you really want to get involved, why not get in touch and discuss volunteering with us. Every Tues, Weds and Thurs we run practical projects all over Leeds. We do a range of activities, such as hedge laying, woodland management, and food growing projects in schools.

We also run regular walks, gardening sessions, and short courses. Get in touch to find out more!

Contact Details: 

 

Employment and Careers

There are a wide range of activities and resources available in Leeds to support people with special educational needs and disabilities to find employment and training.

Developing You is a free training programme for adults with learning disabilities and autism. You can take part in a range of activities to learn about the world of work, identify your own skills and interests and think about what jobs you might be suited to and what steps you could take to get there. For more information email: sarah@pyramid.org.uk

The Autism and Learning Disability Digital Inclusion Network (ALaDDIN) brings organisations together to support people with learning disabilities to use digital technology. The programme has also worked with people to create video CVs as an alternative way to apply to jobs. Click here to view the accessible video CV guide

Careers for All is a project run by Leeds Museums and Galleries to find out about cultural careers. It involves fun activities including careers fairs, career taster days, work placements and site visits and tours. For more information click here to visit the Careers for All website or email: carl.newbould@leeds.gov.uk

A Supported Internship is a study programme where you spend one day a week enrolled at a local college and up to three days a week working with an employer doing a real job. You will be supported at work by a job coach. You could work in all kinds of different job roles from catering and warehousing to sales and administration and many others. Click here for more information.

Volunteer Centre Leeds offer an online platform for volunteering. You can search and apply for volunteer roles, or register and keep checking for new opportunities. Click here to search for volunteering opportunities in Leeds.

Resources

  • Through the Maze is an information service for adults with learning disabilities, their families, carers, support staff and other and professionals. You can find information about employment on their website here.
  • START in Leeds provides careers information for young people over the age of 16, with a dedicated section on supported learning. The website provides a list of specialist education providers including Specialist Inclusive Learning Centres, colleges, sixth forms with resourced provision, work based learning and employment resources.
  • Leeds Employment Hub advisers can help you to find a job, apprenticeship, a training or Learning opportunity.
  • The National Careers Service can help you with your career, learning and training choices.
  • Your Local Jobcentre can help you find a job or gain new skills and tell you about disability-friendly employers in your area.
  • Scope's Employment Service with health issues and disabilities move towards employment with one-to-one support and group sessions.
  • People Matters job coaches can offer advice and guidance to identify support needs and aspirations and create personalised action plans to move you towards employment.
     

Organisations providing support

Access to work grant 

Access to Work can help you get or stay in work if you have a physical or mental health condition or disability.

The support you get will depend on your needs. Through Access to Work, you can apply for:

  • a grant to help pay for practical support with your work
  • support with managing your mental health at work
  • money to pay for communication support at job interviews

For more information about access to work and how to apply click here. 

 

Spear Leeds

Spear Leeds support young people (16 to 24 years old) who are not currently in education, employment or training to gain the confidence, skills and mindsets they need to secure their next steps. The Spear Programme initially consists of 6 weeks of coaching in group and 1-1 settings, followed by 12 months of support to help the young person thrive in work/education.

Contact details: 

 

Lavandula Support Services

Lavandula Support offer free workplace support for people aged 16 years plus who are disabled, neurodivergent or have a long term health condition. All services are free and can be delivered online or in person.

Contact details: 

 

Leeds Sensory Service Employment

Finding work can be especially challenging for people who are Deaf, hard of hearing, or blind. Leeds Sensory Services helps remove these barriers by offering personalised employment support and working with employers to create accessible opportunities.

  • 1:1 Support
  • Technology Support
  • Workshops & Skills Building
  • Long‑Term Support

Leeds Sensory Service can help employers understand disability confidence, improve accessible recruitment, and make the most of the Government’s Access to Work scheme, which can fund reasonable adjustments such as interpreters.
 

Contact details: 

Health adjustment passport

The Health Adjustment Passport can be used if you have a disability or health condition that makes it harder for you to move into work or stay in a job.

You can use it to:

  • support you to identify what support and changes (known as reasonable adjustments) you may need when you are in work or moving into work
  • apply for support from Access to Work. This could include funding for specialist equipment to support you to do your job, support getting to and from work or support when you are in work, such as job coaching
  • help you talk to employers about adjustments and in-work support that you may need

A job could also include self-employment, an apprenticeship, work experience or a supported internship.

Click here for more information and to download the health adjustment passport.