Skills & Employment

Skills and Employment

Empowering Businesses. Developing Talent. Driving Growth.

Amber Valley is committed to helping local businesses thrive by connecting them with the right people, skills, and support. Whether you're looking to upskill your workforce, recruit new talent, or engage with local training providers, we’re here to help you grow.

Support for Employers

We work closely with local and regional partners to offer a wide range of services tailored to business needs.

Recruitment Support

Access local talent through job fairs, apprenticeship schemes, and direct links with colleges and universities.

Workforce Development

Tap into funded training programmes to upskill your team in areas like digital skills, leadership, green technologies, and more.

Apprenticeships & Placements

Partner with local education providers to offer apprenticeships, T-Level placements, and internships.

Redundancy & Restructuring Support

Get guidance and support during periods of change to help retain skills and support affected employees.

Unlock Potential: Training, Skills & Support for Your Business and Your Workforce

Discover local initiatives designed to help your business grow and your workforce thrive. From upskilling opportunities and recruitment support to tailored training and employer networks.

Sector Specific Training – Programmes in manufacturing, hospitality, digital, and green industries visit D2N2 Growth Hub.
Access to Employment - If your employees live in Derbyshire and transport difficulties are stopping them from getting to work, training or college, Wheels to Work can help.
Digital Support Derbyshire
- Good Things Foundation has launched new media literacy topics on Learn My Way, and their Network Survey is open until 15 June, with a chance to win a £500 Curry's voucher. More at goodthingsfoundation.org.
- Free IT Training in Gamesley: A beginner-friendly course starts Monday 23 June, 1–3pm at Gamesley Community Centre. Call 01629 535895 to book.
- Digital Poverty Alliance is seeking feedback on how digital exclusion affects health outcomes. Submit evidence by 30 July at digitalpovertyalliance.org/healthinquiry.
- The Digital Support Derbyshire Small Grants programme. Round 4: 1^st to 30^th June 2025
  
  The Digital Support Derbyshire Small Grants Programme aims to assist local providers of digital inclusion support across Derbyshire to enable more residents to be digitally included, connected and confident. We will soon be opening a 4^th round and welcome applications from groups across Derbyshire (exc Derby) but are particularly interested to hear from projects who would be operating in areas where there are currently gaps in services; for instance, the Northern Derbyshire Dales (including Bakewell), and the Hope Valley. You can check for existing projects on our online map Find Digital Support in Derbyshire | Rural Action Derbyshire. Current DSD Small Grants projects who are extending their service or wish to continue after their end date are also encouraged to apply.
  
  Applications can range from £2,000 - £5,000. Round 4 opens on the 1^st June and closes on the 30^th June 2025 at 12pm (midday). All applicants need to be members of the Digital Support Derbyshire Network (please email me if you’d like more information on this).
  
  More details are on this link to our website Digital Inclusion Small Grants Scheme, including:
  - Guidance document
  - A link to the online application form (this will be active from the 1^st June)
  - A pdf copy of the application form (for reference beforehand).

Support Young People. Shape Your Future Workforce

Amber Valley businesses have an opportunity to shape the future workforce by partnering with the EMCCA Careers Hub. These initiatives connect employers with local schools and colleges, helping young people gain the skills, experiences, and insights they need to succeed.

Whether through mentoring, workplace visits, or strategic careers support, your involvement makes a lasting impact, on students and your business.

To help you get started, the Employer Standards: Shaping Your Workforce of Tomorrow is a simple self-assessment tool from the Careers and Enterprise Company. It helps you reflect on your current engagement with young people and identify ways to grow your impact while aligning with your talent development goals.

The Open Doors Programme, managed by the Direct Education Business Partnership (DEBP) and funded by the East Midlands Combined County Authority Careers Hub, inspires young minds across the region by connecting students with real-world career opportunities.

The programme offers students the chance to visit local businesses, meet professionals, and explore a wide range of industries, from heritage and engineering to healthcare and hospitality. These immersive experiences are designed to support the Gatsby Benchmarks for good career guidance, helping students make informed decisions about their futures.

👉 Learn more at EMCCA Careers Hub – East Midlands Combined County Authority
👉 Complete the self-assessment: Employer Standards | The Careers and Enterprise Company
👉 Get involved in the Open Doors Programme: Home | Open Doors by Direct Education Business Partnership, Millennium Way, Chesterfield, UK.

We collaborate with a wider network of trusted providers to ensure your business has access to the right training and talent pipelines:

👉 University of Derby – Higher-level skills, research partnerships, and graduate recruitment
👉 Derby College Group – Vocational training, apprenticeships, and employer-led programmes

Building Futures: Upcoming Employment and Skills Events in Amber Valley

Amber Valley Summer Work & Wellbeing Event - 24 Jun 2025, Ripley Leisure Centre, 9:00am - 12:30pm.

Don't miss out on the opportunity to showcase your vacancies and services at the Amber Valley Summer Work & Wellbeing Event! Connect with local residents actively seeking employment or health support. Each organisation will have a dedicated table for displays. Enjoy free onsite parking, with additional roadside parking available.

For more information or to secure your spot now by emailing steve.swain@dwp.gov.uk or call 03000 823946.

To learn more about current programmes and opportunities, or to speak with someone directly, get in touch and we’ll connect you with the right people and support.