Sophie Dixon Employability
Sophie Dixon
Employability Assistant
Helping people move into work
We support people to build the skills, confidence and experience they need to move into work.
Our projects are designed to do more than offer training. We focus on helping people take real steps towards employment and connect with job opportunities in their local area.
If you are unemployed, have not worked for a while, or are new to the jobs market, we could offer support to help you move forward.
The support we offer
Our team can work with you to understand your goals and help you take the next step. Support may include:
- One-to-one support with a qualified member of our team
- Support with CV writing and interview preparation
- Help with job searching
- Support to build your confidence and work-ready skills
- Advice on training courses and job opportunities
- We’ll come to you and find a suitable location close to where you live
We understand that everyone’s journey into work is different. That is why we offer flexible support to help you progress at a pace that works for you.
Getting ready for work
Build confidence and learn what to expect from the workplace.
One-to-one support
Meet regularly with a coach who will support you as you work towards your goals.
Work skills
Develop the practical skills that employers are looking for.
Short training courses
Take part in short courses linked to the type of work you want to do.
CV and interview support
Get help writing a CV and preparing for interviews so you feel ready to apply for jobs.
Work-related qualifications
Gain useful qualifications such as CSCS cards or health and safety certificates.
Essential skills for work
Improve your maths, English and digital skills so you can feel confident at work.
We work with schools and colleges in the areas where many of our tenants live. Our aim is to help young people learn about the world of work and explore the different opportunities available to them.
You can view our operating area map to see the main areas where we provide homes and services.
How we work with schools and colleges
Careers events and world of work days
We attend careers events and world of work days to talk with students about different jobs, career options and what it’s like to work in different industries.
Enterprise Advisors
Some of our staff act as Enterprise Advisors, working with schools to help connect education with local employers and career opportunities.
Construction skills training
We work with Northumberland College’s 14–16 Construction Skills Academy (HICSA) to support young people who are interested in construction careers.
Apprenticeships and local colleges
Our apprentices attend local colleges as part of their training. We also work with colleges to understand what courses are available locally and how they can help prepare people for work.
Each year we recruit apprentices into a range of roles across Bernicia. An apprenticeship is a great way to gain skills, experience and recognised qualifications while earning and learning on the job.
Many of our apprentices choose to stay with us after their training. In fact, over 90% go on to permanent roles at Bernicia.
Our work experience programme gives young people the chance to learn about the world of work and the different types of jobs available in their local area.
It’s designed to be practical and engaging, helping you understand what working life is like at Bernicia.
What the programme includes
One – Induction
A warm welcome and introduction to the placement, the team and what to expect during the week.
Two – Office and site tours
A chance to explore the workplace and see different teams and environments in action.
Three – Team activities
Practical group activities to build confidence, teamwork and problem-solving skills.
Four – Customer service awareness
An introduction to the importance of customer service and how it supports people every day.
Five – Communication exercises
Activities designed to strengthen speaking, listening and workplace communication skills.
Six – Apprentice Q and A session
Time with apprentices to ask questions and hear honest insights about learning and working.
Seven – Department insight sessions
Sessions with different departments to show the range of roles and careers across the organisation.
Eight – Employability support
Helpful guidance to support future applications, interviews and overall career confidence.
Travel expenses and lunches provided.
Our sessions are very popular and often fill up quickly. If you’re interested, please register your interest and we’ll let you know when new opportunities become available.
Next programme
Our work experience programme runs annually during the summer.
Visit our work experience page to find out how the programme works and what to expect.
We are proud to support both the Care Leavers Covenant and the Armed Forces Covenant. Through these commitments, we aim to provide opportunities and support for people moving into work.
How we support you
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Guaranteed job interviews at Bernicia for applicants who meet the essential job criteria
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One-to-one support to help you prepare for interviews
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Access to programmes delivered by trusted partners to help you build skills and get ready for work
Working with partners
We work with organisations that support care leavers, veterans and members of the armed forces community.
If your organisation works in this area, we would welcome the chance to explore how we might work together.
Contact us to find out more about working in partnership with Bernicia.
Our Care Leavers programme offers dedicated one-to-one mentoring and support to help you manage everyday challenges and plan your next steps.
How we support you
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One-to-one mentoring and support to help you deal with the challenges life can bring
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A job-ready pathway to help you prepare for the world of work
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Opportunities to build confidence, skills and experience
You can also watch our videos where young people share their stories about how Bernicia has supported them.
Working with partners
We work with organisations that support care leavers, care-experienced young people, and services that help young people avoid entering care.
If your organisation works in this area, we would welcome the chance to explore how we might work together.
Get help finding work, training or work experience opportunities
If you’re looking for work, training or work experience opportunities our team can support you. Fill in the short form below and a member of staff will get back to you within a few days.
Self Referral From
Send us a short message and a qualified advisor will be in-touch soon.
Case studies
They highlight the people, projects and partnerships that help bring our work to life, from supporting someone into work to helping communities come together through local activities.
These stories show how our programmes, partners and the work of Bernicia help people build skills, gain confidence and take part in opportunities in their community.
Lauren's Story
Lauren's Story
Once I pass all my qualification, I’d love to support our Employability Team, and to do employment events, going to schools and talk to the younger generations.
Ethan's Story
Ethan's Story
Ethan is one of our Apprentices Plumber with Gas who joined us in September 2024. Learning new skills, meeting tenants, and taking guidance from his mentors have been a priority for him.
Natalie’s story
Natalie’s story
Lily supported Natalie and her family to find a safe place to live and begin a new chapter in their lives. This is one example of how we help create safer futures for women, children and families.
Oliver’s story
Oliver’s story
With support from Newcastle United Foundation, Oliver updated his CV, completed an online application and prepared for interview.
Job vacancies and apprenticeship opportunities by Bernicia
Interested in working at Bernicia? Take a look at our current job vacancies and apprenticeship opportunities to see what roles are available and how you could start your career with us.
Job vacancies and apprenticeship opportunities by Bernicia
Interested in working at Bernicia? Take a look at our current job vacancies and apprenticeship opportunities to see what roles are available and how you could start your career with us.