Services
FAQs
Questions
Below are some of the questions that people often ask us about the nextstep service, followed by our answers.
How do I find out more about nextstep?
What are nextstep centres and where can I find them?
How much will nextstep's services cost?
I'm looking for a change/different job? How can I get some advice?
I'm going to be made redundant. How can nextstep help?
How do I go about writing a speculative letter to an employer?
What is a CV, and how do I go about writing one or improving the one I've got?
Where can I get help to fill in a job application form?
I have a job interview and don't know what to do. Where can I get some advice?
How can I get help to pay for a course or training?
I'd like to get a part-time job or do some training, but who would look after my children?
I've brought up a family and now I'd like to get back to work. But where do I start?
I'd like to learn more about computers What can I do?
I'm fed up with my job but I've got no qualifications. What can I do?
I know what course I want to do but I don't know how to get information about where to do it.
Where are the best places to look for jobs?
English is not my first language - how can I find out how to improve my English skills?
How can I find out how to improve my Maths or reading and writing?
My organisation is making redundancies. What support can nextstep offer?
If you can't find the information you need on this page, please contact us.
Answers:
What does nextstep do?
nextstep provides information and advice about learning and work. nextstep advisers deliver advice on CV building, completing application forms, interview skills and many other aspects of job searching. nextstep can also deliver workshops and training courses to groups or individuals.
How do I find out more about nextstep?
This website gives lots of information about the nextstep brand. For more details click on Services.
What are nextstep centres and where can I find them?
nextstep centres are places where you can talk to an adviser face-to -face. They are managed by partners who have achieved the quality mark for the guidance sector. For a full list click on nextstep Centres.
How much will nextstep's services cost?
Most of our services are delivered free of charge to individual clients. However we do offer enhanced services such as workshops and training sessions to organisations at a competitive rate. For more information contact our Delivery Manager. Contact us.
I'm looking for a change/different job? How can I get some advice?
Talk to an adviser at a nextstep centre. If you're not sure where your nearest centre is call Freephone 0800 0850 330, or hit the nextstep Centres button on this website. A nextstep centre offers you friendly help and advice from trained staff, plus leaflets, brochures and even computer programs that can help you decide which job would suit you best.
I'm going to be made redundant. How can nextstep help?
nextstep advisers can offer advice on CV building, completing application forms, interview skills and many other aspects of job searching. We run workshop groups as well as one-to-one advice sessions. For more information contact us on Freephone 0800 0850 330 or come to our shop at 82 Charles Street in Leicester.
How do I go about writing a speculative letter to an employer?
You can write a speculative letter to an organisation that is likely to offer the kind of job that you are interested in. Your nextstep adviser can give you advice about how to go about it. You can also download a leaflet on Job Vacancies from this site that will give you advice on how to write a speculative letter. Publications.
What is a CV, and how do I go about writing one or improving the one I've got?
A CV (Curriculum Vitae) is a document detailing your work experience, training, qualifications and personal qualities. It enables an employer to decide quickly whether you could be suitable for the type of work available. Your nextstep adviser can give you advice on how to write one. You can also download a leaflet on CV writing from this site Publications, or use the online CV builder on this site. CVbuilder.
Where can I get help to fill in a job application form?
Download the leaflet on Job Applications from this site. Publications. This will help you to make a start. Use your CV if you have one to remind you of dates and other details. If you need more help your nextstep adviser can offer hints and tips at your nearest nextstep Centre. nextstep Centres.
I have a job interview and don't know what to do. Where can I get some advice?
Download the leaflet on Interviews from this site. Publications. If you need more help your nextstep adviser can offer hints and tips at your nearest nextstep Centre. nextstep Centres. nextstep also runs occasional workshop groups on interview skills - click here for availability News and Events.
How can I get help to pay for a course or training?
Go to the online Funding Directory available on this website - enter your personal details and you'll see what help could be available to you. Website. You can also download the leaflet on Financial Help for Education and Training available from this website. Publications. Also your local college might be able to offer help from Student Support funds. Contact nextstep on Freephone 0800 0850 330 for further information and advice.
I'd like to get a part-time job or do some training, but who would look after my children?
There are specialist helplines and websites to give you the information you need both.
In the County, contact:
Leicestershire Children's Information Service (CIS)
County Hall, Glenfield, Leicester LE3 8RA
Tel. 0116 265 6545. Website.
In the City contact:
Leicester Childcare Information Service (CIS)
12 Bishop Street, Leicester LE1 6AF
Tel: 0116 225 4890. Website.
I've brought up a family and now I'd like to get back to work. But where do I start?
You may want to consider voluntary work as a first step - a free nextstep booklet, Routes Into Voluntary Work, is available on this website Publications. If you've had a break from work for any reason - typically, bringing up children or caring for another relative - there are a number of options open to you. Jobcentre Plus will offer job search support, and you may be eligible for free training through the Work Based Learning scheme. Website. There is a huge range of courses available through local colleges and your nextstep adviser can help you to look at the available options. nextstep Centres.
I'd like to learn more about computers What can I do?
More and more people of all ages are learning about computers from the basics upwards. There are even courses such as 'Computing for the Terrified', designed to offer you a friendly introduction and boost your confidence. There are special schemes to get you started - call learndirect on 0800 100 900 for details. Talk to your nextstep adviser for more information or help to find courses in your area.
I'm fed up with my job but I've got no qualifications. What can I do?
It's never too late to set about getting qualifications. Further Education and Community Colleges offer a very wide selection of courses that you can study both full-time and part-time. There are distance learning courses that you can study at home at your own pace, and offer flexible on-line learning packages. You can start by reading the Quick Guides to Qualifications on this website, getting hold of your local college prospectuses, calling learndirect on 0800 100 900, and of course talking to your nextstep adviser. You could also talk to your employer and see if they can provide or support you with any relevant training.
I've been thinking about setting up my own business, but where can I get the information and advice I need?
Setting up a business is a complex undertaking, and you should seek expert advice. Start by downloading the leaflet Routes into Self-Employment from this website Publications Talk to Business Link Leicestershire on 0845 070 0086 or go to their website. There are other useful web links - try Shell LiveWIRE website and Startups website and Skills for Enterprise website. If you're aged between 18 and 30, you may get support from the Prince's Trust. Tel. 0800 842 842. Website.
I know what course I want to do but don't know how to get information about where to do it.
The easiest first move is to contact learndirect on 0800 100 900 - they can often get the information you need in moments. Also check with your local Further Education and Community Colleges to see if that course is on offer. There are also many web links that could be of use to you. For example, there is a learndirect website, and you can access the nextstep local Course Search. Distance learning providers such as the Open University and National Extension College have their own sites. See the list of Useful Links, and talk to your nextstep adviser if you need more information.
Where are the best places to look for jobs?
Start with This is Jobs, the online job search engine on this website. Also try Jobcentre Plus, your local newspaper (eg Leicester Mercury), Employment Agencies (see Yellow Pages), and newsagents' and other shop windows. You can take a more active approach by writing speculative letters or making phone calls to possible employers. There are more and more websites (many are listed in our Useful Links section) that are designed specifically for job search. If you don't have access to a computer, try your local library where there is free Internet access. If you need more information talk to your nextstep adviser and/or get hold of our leaflet on Job Vacancies. Publications.
English is not my first language - how can I find out how to improve my English skills?
Come into the nextstep Shop on Charles Street and speak to an adviser. The adviser will be able to help you find an English course that suits you. Alternatively call us on 0800 0850 330, or you can contact learndirect on 0800 100 900.
How can I find out how to improve my Maths or reading and writing?
Come into the nextstep shop on Charles Street and speak to an adviser. The adviser will be able to help you find a course that suits you. Alternatively call us on 0800 0850 330, or you can contact Learn Direct on 0800 100 900.
What is matrix?
matrix is the quality standard for the guidance sector. It ensures a consistently high standard of service across different organisations. For more details, click on Quality.
My organisation is making redundancies. What support can nextstep offer?
nextstep advisers can deliver advice on CV building, completing application forms, interview skills and many other aspects of job searching. nextstep can deliver workshops, one-to-one advice sessions, psychometric testing and training courses to groups or individuals. These services are available on site at your organisation or at our training suite in Charles Street. For more information contact on 0116 262 9993.
