JobCentre Plus

The better qualified you are and the more skills you have the more likely you are to get a job, stay in work and get promoted.

If you have been away from the workplace for a while, for example, due to illness or caring for someone, returning to work may be daunting. It is worth considering what experience and skills you have gained through your life experience, hobbies and interests. These can include organisational, budgeting, planning and problem solving skills.

A good place to start is at your local Job Centre where an adviser can talk to you about the options available.

The government's New Deal is a programme that gives people on benefits the help and support they need to look for work, including training and preparing for work.