Renfrewshire Council

Jobs, training and apprenticeships

Find a job or training course, apply for an apprenticeship, if you're aged between 16 and 24, if you have autism or a learning disability, if you've been made redundant, if you're an employer or local business, how we can help, our partners.

On this page:


Contact us for help with finding a job or training

If you are unemployed, living in Renfrewshire and looking to get into work - we can help.

Our employability team Invest in Renfrewshire provide lots of different support to help you prepare for work, learn new skills and get a job.

Whether you are 16 or 66, we work closely with our local partners to offer a wide range of support, training, advice and access to employers who are looking to recruit.

We have tailored programmes to support everyone, including people who are care experienced, people with a disability or health condition, school leavers, working parents and people with criminal convictions.

We can help you with a programme of support to move into employment like helping you to develop your CV, apply for jobs and prepare for job interviews. We can also help if you are not sure what job you'd like to do or if you are in work and thinking about changing career.

Register your details with us using our online form and an adviser will be in touch.

Contact the team on 0300 300 1180, email us invest@renfrewshire.gov.uk or message us on Facebook.


Financial support when looking for work

If you are not working, you may be able to claim benefits, get a reduction on your council tax or apply for funds to support you financially during the crisis. 

See what money, benefits and financial support is available. 

You also may be able to get Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA) to help you when you're looking for work. Find out more about eligibility and how to apply for the Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA) on the GOV.UK website.


Where to look for jobs

If you're looking for work, see the:

You can also look for jobs at other public sector employers including:

You can also find useful information on the Skills Development Scotland My World of Work website and from the UK Government find a job service.


Funding and job help for parents

Parents who are unemployed or working parents on benefits looking to get better paid jobs can access our specialist advice and support.

This includes:

  • Support from a dedicated adviser tailored to your own needs
  • Financial help for the first few months as you settle into a new job
  • Money towards childcare, transport and other costs
  • Details of flexible roles with local businesses offering part-time positions and school hour posts.
  • Info on paid traineeship posts
  • Training courses from accredited providers
  • Advice to maximise your household income
  • Job search and interview skills support 
  • Help to build and improve your confidence

Call 0300 300 1180, email invest@renfrewshire.gov.uk or call into the Russell Institute on Causeyside Street in Paisley.


Go to college or university

Studying at college or university is one route you can take to gain skills needed for work.

The University of the West of Scotland and West College Scotland in Renfrewshire both offer a wide variety of programmes and courses.

You can also get free access to online training courses delivered through the Digital College, including introductory courses towards becoming a Teaching Assistant, work in Travel & Tourism, Business Administration or Customer Service, as well as courses in early years childcare, warehousing, food hygiene, retail, restaurant hospitality and many more.


Apply for an apprenticeship

Apprenticeships help you build the experience and skills employers want to see, setting you up for a bright future.

Apprenticeships.Scot has lots of information about the different types of apprenticeships in Scotland and all the opportunities available.

Read more about the different apprenticeships we offer on our apprenticeships web page and contact our Invest in Renfrewshire team on 0300 300 1180 if you'd like any more information about apprenticeships in Renfrewshire.


If you're aged between 16 and 24

If you're between 16 and 24, you may be entitled to a one-off payment to help with the costs of starting your first job. Find out more about the Job Start Payment on the mygov.scot website.

Renfrewshire's Young Person's Guarantee website has information about jobs, placements, apprenticeships, college and university studies, training programmes and volunteering opportunities.

People aged between 16 and 24 and care leavers up to age 25 starting work may also be entitled to a £250 Job Start Payment from Social Security Scotland.


If you have autism or a learning disability

Young people aged 17-29 with autism or a learning disability may be interested in DFN Project SEARCH.

This course runs from August to June in partnership with Glasgow Clyde College and helps participants into employment through a combination of classroom-based learning at the Council headquarters in Paisley and work placements with us at the Council.

There's mentoring from a college lecturer and a job coach to provide guidance, participants receiving employability support and working towards an SQA qualification.

Find out more on the Glasgow Clyde College website or contact our Invest team on 0300 300 1180 or by email to invest@renfrewshire.gov.uk.


If you've been made redundant

If you are facing redundancy or you've been made redundant, contact us to get advice and support that will help you to consider your options and future job opportunities.

We also have a partnership with Renfrewshire Citizen's Advice Bureau who give specialist support on employment matters through the Fair Work Renfrewshire service. Call them on 0141 889 2121.


If you're an employer or business in Renfrewshire

We can help employers across Renfrewshire, including charities and social enterprises to recruit staff through our vacancy management service. Find out more on our business support web pages.


Renfrewshire Local Employability Partnership

A wide range of organisations and agencies across Renfrewshire are all working together to deliver the best possible employability service to local people.

The Renfrewshire Local Employability Partnership sees Renfrewshire Council working together with:

  • Developing the Young Workforce West (DYW West)
  • Engage Renfrewshire
  • JobCentre Plus
  • NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde
  • OneRen
  • Renfrewshire Chamber of Commerce
  • Renfrewshire Health and Social Care Partnership
  • Skills Development Scotland
  • University of the West of Scotland
  • West College Scotland.

Together, we ensure employability services in Renfrewshire meet the needs of our residents, supporting people into fair, sustainable jobs and contributing to growing the local economy sustainably and inclusively.

We all work with other training providers to ensure every type of support is offered to Renfrewshire residents.