Need extra support to get into work?
There is a huge range of free and accessible employment support available to all residents across Surrey.
Unsure where to start? Get in touch by filling out our Get Support Now form, and a STEP Surrey expert will guide you through your options.
Get support now
What support do you need?
Additional needs or a disability
Searching for a job while you’re living with a disability or long-term health condition can come with a unique set of challenges.
English is not my first language
Surrey Adult Learning offers free English for speakers of other languages (ESOL) courses that are designed to help you study or find work.
Mental Health support
WorkWell offers a free one-to-one coaching to help Surrey residents get work, stay in work or return to work.
Digital skills
Gain confidence using digital equipment and improve your computer skills with our free digital skills courses in Surrey.
Learn the essential skills needed for work tasks like email management, digital communication, and how to create and edit professional documents.
Careers advice
The National Careers Service provides free one-to-one careers advice and guidance, for everyone, no matter what stage of employment you’re in.
They offer everything from help with CV writing and job applications to interview practice and guidance on career change.
Childcare
Recent changes to childcare support mean you might now be eligible for more help than ever before.
Find out what funding or help you’re entitled to as a parent or carer. It may help you find a job or get back to work.
Money and finance
Find out what support you might be able to get to help with your living costs.
You can get benefits and other financial support if you’re eligible.
Travel support
Depending on your circumstances, you may be eligible to receive financial travel support.
This could help with the cost of travelling to an interview, training or for the first months of getting to a new job.
Housing
If you are an adult and you need housing advice or help with homelessness, you should contact your District or Borough Council for information and support.
They can also help with housing benefit.
Why should you reach out for employment support?
Health challenges
Whether you’ve had physical or mental health challenges, employment support experts can help you rebuild confidence and explore job options that work for you.
Financial difficulties
The cost of living crisis has hit many families and households in Surrey hard.
Find opportunities for work or training that could lead to greater stability.
Risk of losing your job
Get help with your next steps, from updating your CV to understanding the job market.
You may also find places to learn new skills or retrain.
Claiming benefits
The benefits system is there to provide a safety net to help you thrive.
Understand how to balance your benefit situation with finding a job.
Overwhelmed or unsure where to start?
It’s okay not to have all the answers. Employment support services help you take the first step, set realistic goals, and move forward at your own pace.
Contact STEP Surrey
I love working in the fast food industry. As the name suggests, it’s really, really fast.
We can be really innovative, we can try new things. We have a customer base that is really interested in trying new things.
Jo Tivers, Head of Food and Quality, KFC UK
Skills Bootcamps are a great way to upskill and boost your earnings – they help add another string to your bow.
You have to look beyond today. Investing the time to complete the training has opened doors to much greater opportunities than if we had kept putting things off.
Kieran Tuck and Michael Slatcher, MTeK Solutions Co-Founders
I didn’t have a lot of things to help me to go where I wanted, but [the Multiply course] pushed me to find alternative routes. They taught me skills of dig deep, keep looking, just keep going, it will happen, you’ve just got to keep searching, it might take longer but you’ll get there. And how to barter, how to get things.
Rita, Owner of Rita Botanicals in Guildford
Surrey has a vibrant and diverse economy, built on foundations of innovation and collaboration. But we can only grow our economy and deliver benefits to our communities with a skilled and engaged workforce.
That’s why it’s so important to showcase the brilliant careers and training available to students right here on their doorstep.
Tim Oliver, Leader of Surrey County
As a world-leading consumer health company with our Headquarters based in Surrey, we were excited to promote STEM careers and give back to the community.
Abeera Mohammad, STEM Lead at Haleon
FAQ: Employment support in Surrey
Yes. Services like WorkWell, Connect to Work, and the National Careers Service specialise in helping people who’ve been out of work due to illness, caring responsibilities, or other life events.
You’ll get one-to-one support, help rebuilding confidence, and advice on your best next steps.
Get in touch with our experts via our Get Support Now form.
Yes. If you’re in unstable housing or experiencing homelessness, you can still get help with employment in Surrey.
Services like Steps2Work Wellbeing and Jobcentre Plus can give you the right job advice and direct you to housing and wellbeing services.
Search for services near you via our provider directory.
No. Most services are open to anyone over the age of 16.
Yes. The National Careers Service, Jobcentre Plus, and Connect to Work offer help with all parts of the job search, including CV writing, interview practice and filling out application forms or writing cover letters.
Yes. Career advisers can help you explore your strengths, interests, and any limitations you’re working with (such as health conditions or past work gaps).
Services like the National Careers Service and WorkWell can help you find a path that feels achievable for you.
Yes. You might be eligible for fully funded training, especially if you’re unemployed, on a low income, or looking to change career.
Services like Jobcentre Plus, Connect to Work, and the National Careers Service can refer you to Surrey training providers or offer short courses and digital skills.
Start by speaking to the National Careers Service who can help you explore your options.
You can also contact your local Job Centre, which may offer extra support or funding.
