Refugee Employability Skills and Support Service

Cambridge City Council is seeking a service provider to deliver a comprehensive employability skills and advice programme for refugees and displaced persons from the Afghan Resettlement Programme (ARP), UK Resettlement Scheme (UKRS), Homes for Ukraine (HfU), and Ukraine Permission Extension (UPE) living in Cambridge city and South Cambridgeshire. The service must conduct initial assessments of skill profiles, employment history, qualifications, and interests, then provide tailored support including English language support with interpreting where needed. Key services include: identifying and facilitating access to relevant training and qualifications (such as IELTS and vocational courses); providing practical support with CV creation, digital skills, employment rights, and life navigation in the UK; assisting with job applications and interview preparation; supporting the recognition and conversion of existing qualifications (such as through ENIC) to enable resumption of previous career pathways; monitoring progress and learning outcomes; and building links with local Cambridge employers to create employment and volunteering opportunities. The programme recognises the specific challenges refugee families face, including the impact of the benefit cap, which often requires clients to take entry-level positions while completing training before progressing to higher-skilled employment.