Open Door Staffordshire

Open Door Staffordshire is a voluntary unpaid structured work experience programme to support job seekers aged 18+ across Staffordshire.

Open Door Staffordshire has been supporting residents for over 12 years, and this successful programme is now part of the wider Staffordshire Jobs & Careers brokerage free support offer.

The placements are for 12-weeks with the opportunity to extend. During the placement you will gain up to date skills, experience, and increased employability in the area of work you wish to gain paid employment or develop your career. Therefore, you will gain the relevant skills to add to your CV and increase your employability skills.

Hours and days are to suit you and the host organisation, but the placement will require the same work ethic, commitment, and professionalism as a paid employment position.

The programme supports jobseekers from all backgrounds including; Jobcentre Plus benefit claimants, ex-offenders, physical and learning disabilities, mental health, ex-service men and women, people wanting to change career.

For school, college and university work experience please contact the Talent and Resourcing Team at Staffordshire County Council: [email protected]

New civil engineering career for Chris

Thirty nine year old Chris Boote is the latest person to benefit from the Open-Door programme, having secured a job as a Technical Support Officer at the local authority.

After contacting the programme team, Chris started an initial 12 week placement, increasing to 24 weeks with the Sustainable Development Team at the council. Shortly after this and armed with six months of experience and knowledge, Chris managed to secure a full-time job when a vacancy became available in the department.

Christopher Boote | Open-Door Programme - YouTube

“I would absolutely recommend the programme to others. As a mature worker changing into a new career, it can be hard to gain experience in a new field but if you are willing and have the courage to make that change, the Open-Door programme really does provide the opportunity to gain experience or to see if that career really is for you. I’m really enjoying my job and I’d like to thank everyone involved.”

Chris Boote

This article was published by Staffordshire County Council on staffordshire.gov.uk. Read the full article.

Enquire about a placement with Open Door

Contact Open Door

If you would like enquire about a placement or require further information please contact Open Door by email here.

Visit Open Door | Staffordshire County Council

Alternatively, visit the Staffordshire County Council Open Door website for more information or to apply online here.