Bath College welcomed hundreds of jobseekers through its doors as part of a special Jobcentre Takeover Day designed to connect unemployed adults with education, apprenticeships and employment opportunities.
Around 500 unemployed people from Bath were invited to attend the event on 4 March, where they were able to access careers advice, training information and practical support aimed at helping them move back into work.
The initiative formed part of a coordinated national programme taking place during AoC National Colleges Week and National Careers Week. Originally developed by Weston College, the model sees colleges working closely with Jobcentre Plus to offer tailored guidance, skills support and pathways into employment for unemployed adults.
Bath College joined several other institutions across the country in hosting takeover events this year, including Weston College, New City College London, Northampton College and Middlesbrough College Group.
During the day, attendees were able to meet staff from Bath College’s adult skills and apprenticeship teams to discuss training options, explore career pathways and receive personalised support.
Laura Joy, Apprenticeships Recruitment & Onboarding Co-ordinator at Bath College, said, “A young individual came to the takeover who had been out of work for four years, and after discussing his customer service experience and the challenges he’d faced in the current job market, I directed him to our latest apprenticeship opportunities.
“One vacancy at Curo aligns closely with his skills and ambitions, and he has already applied. It’s a clear example of how expert guidance can help people regain confidence and move closer to sustainable employment.”
Staff also supported attendees with course applications and personalised career planning, helping many identify training routes that could improve their prospects.
Kelly, Head of Adult Skills at Bath College, said, “We saw multiple course sign-ups and created personalised career plans for plenty of adults who were looking for guidance.
“Our Hair and Beauty students were also busy delivering treatments, offering a moment of self-care that many attendees said they rarely experience. A few people became emotional about having access to something so simple yet meaningful, and this highlights how important it is to remove barriers and make support accessible.”
Alongside careers guidance, the event offered a welcoming environment where visitors could talk openly about their ambitions and challenges while learning about the support available locally.
By connecting adults with training opportunities and employment pathways, the takeover aimed to help reduce unemployment across Bath and Somerset while supporting individuals to rebuild confidence and take positive steps towards the future.
