The Community Employment Service is here to help you find work.

We have support sessions in various location across Milton Keynes. These are free to access and you can attend whichever suits you. 

Each service offers you practical help and advice with the steps towards finding work, guidance with identifying skills and potential work options and information about local job vacancies and training opportunities.

Support services on offer

Drop-in community based support sessions

Available to anyone looking for work, with sessions throughout the city; computer and internet access, independent job search facilities as well as support from advisors.

Housing service

For those in need of housing or MK Council tenants who are looking for support to gain employment.

Mental health service

For people who are experiencing or have experienced mental health difficulties and are looking to get back into work or for anyone who has an in-work support need.

Over 50s service

For people over 50 who need additional support in gaining employment.

Employability skills support sessions

Don't fancy an individual support appointment? Then join us in a virtual group session. Each session is led by an advisor, is fully interactive, discusses an employability theme and lasts around 30 minutes.

To take part in a session, just email us your name and contact number call us on the number below and we'll do the rest.

General themes

  • Application forms
  • Building confidence
  • Cover letters
  • CVs
  • Disclosing criminal convictions
  • Disclosing health conditions/Disabilities
  • Interview preparation and questions
  • Job searching
  • Managing your money
  • Transferable skills
  • Virtual interviews
  • Working remotely

Self-employment themes

  • Business plans
  • Self-Assessment and HMRC
  • Setting up your Unique Tax Reference Number (UTR)
  • Starting your own business

Other useful local services

You may find these local services are helpful in supporting you to find employment.

Careers Action

Careers Action is a local employment support service helping managers and business/technical professionals to get back into work or start their own business.

What kind of help is available?

  • Free to access for job seekers or those needing employment advice
  • Face to face or online/telephone appointments
  • Community drop-in sessions available
  • Receive individual support, guidance and training
  • Search for jobs online

Each support service offers:

  • Impartial information, advice and guidance
  • CV building and advice
  • Help with job search and completing application forms
  • Interview preparation and techniques
  • Support with confidence
  • Access to free work-related training courses
  • Internet access
  • In-work support

Timetable of support service sessions 

One-to-one specialist support services - housing service users

These sessions are for those who have a housing need or Milton Keynes City Council housing tenants who are looking for support to gain employment.

One-to-one specialist support services - mental health services

These services are for those who have experienced mental health difficulties and are looking to get back into work - plus in-work support for those who are struggling with their employment due to mental health concerns.

'REGAIN'

A service for people who are experiencing or have experienced mental health difficulties and are looking for support to get back into the workplace.

  • Advice and guidance on potential job roles
  • Practical help with job searching and application processes
  • Interview skills and practice
  • Information about training opportunities with support to apply
  • Help in preparing for work
  • Advice on your rights around disclosure of health conditions and gaps in employment
  • Support to identify and apply for voluntary roles and work experience

'RETAIN'

A service for people who are experiencing or have experienced mental health difficulties and are finding it difficult to retain their employment.

  • On­going in­work support, working with you and your employer
  • Confidential support and advice on work­related concerns
  • Help with developing a plan of action for any problems
  • Advice on the Equality Act and employment rights
  • Signposting to specialist organisations

Neighbourhood support services

Session times:

  • BEANHILL - Tuesdays 1-3pm
    Moorlands Centre, Dodkin Road, Beanhill, Milton Keynes MK6 4LP
     
  • BRADVILLE - Thursdays 1-3pm
    Stantonbury Parish Council Offices, 126 Kingsfold, Bradville, Milton Keynes MK13 7DX
     
  • CENTRAL MILTON KEYNES - Tuesdays 1-3pm
    Central MK Library, 555 Silbury Boulevard, Milton Keynes MK9 3HL
     
  • COFFEE HALL - Wednesdays 10am-12pm
    Woughton Community Council, 44 Garraways, Coffee Hall, Milton Keynes MK6 5EG
     
  • FULLERS SLADE - Mondays 1-3pm
    The Rowans Centre, 13a Moorfoot, Fullers Slade, Milton Keynes MK11 2BD
     
  • LAKES ESTATE - Mondays 10am-12pm and Wednesdays 2-4pm
    Spotlight, Serpentine Court, Lakes Estate, Milton Keynes MK2 3QL
     
  • NETHERFIELD - Thursdays 10am-12pm
    Woughton Library, Unit 6, Farthing Grove, Netherfield, Milton Keynes MK6 4JH
     
  • WEST BLETCHLEY - Tuesdays 10am-12pm
    Frank Moran Centre, Melrose Avenue, Bletchley, Milton Keynes MK3 6PA

Specialist neighbourhood support services

Session times:

  • OVER 50S - Wednesdays 2-4pm
    Spotlight, Serpentine Court, Lakes Estate, Milton Keynes MK2 3QL

Group specialist support services

Employability Skills Support Sessions

Don’t fancy an individual support appointment? Then join us in a virtual group session.

Each session is led by an advisor, is fully interactive, discusses an employability theme and lasts around 30 minutes.

General themes:

  • Application Forms
  • Building Confidence
  • Cover Letters
  • CVs
  • Disclosing Criminal Convictions
  • Disclosing Health Conditions/Disabilities
  • Interview Preparation and Questions
  • Job Searching
  • Managing your Money
  • Transferable Skills
  • Virtual Interviews
  • Working Remotely

Self-employment themes:

  • Business Plans
  • Self-Assessment and HMRC
  • Setting up your UTR Number
  • Starting your Own Business
Community Employment Service

Community Employment Service (CES) contact information

Civic, 1 Saxon Gate East, Milton Keynes MK9 3EJ