Skills and Training

Skills and training for Chesterfield businesses

Are you looking to develop your workforce? Whether you’re hiring new talent or upskilling existing employees, Chesterfield has a range of programmes to support you with skills and training.

Browse the developing talent in your business brochure for more information.

Short on time and want to jump to a specific section? Click on the links below:

Chesterfield Skills Brokerage Service

Did you know you can access free advice in order to help identify your skills gaps and workforce development needs? Chesterfield Borough Council delivers a dedicated Skills Brokerage Service.

An advisor will guide you to:
- Identify your training and workforce development needs
- Access funding
- Gain apprenticeship support and funding
- Develop talent
Want to know more? Then contact the Skills Brokerage team to discuss your business needs on 01246 210351 or email Destination Chesterfield for an email referral to the service: info@chesterfield.co.uk.
Apprenticeships for all

If you’re looking to recruit new staff, re-train or upskill existing staff then the apprenticeship route might be for you. They provide the opportunity to develop your workforce with the skills you need while giving your employees a route into a successful and fulfilling career.

How do they work?

Apprentices must be aged 16 or over and combine working with studying for a work-based qualification, whether that be GCSE or degree level equivalent. Learn more about hiring an apprentice.

Higher and Degree Apprenticeships

Higher apprenticeships go from level 4 to 7 and are equivalent to a foundation degree or above Degree apprenticeships are available at levels 6 and 7 and are equivalent to a full bachelor’s and Master’s. Find out about higher and degree apprenticeships.

Apprenticeship Funding

If you’re looking to take on an apprentice, then you could benefit from funding towards apprenticeship training. Check out the different funding opportunities.

Interested to learn more? For 1-1 support in recruiting and funding an apprentice, contact the Skills Brokerage team at Chesterfield Borough Council.
Sector-based Work Academy Programme (SWAP)

Looking to build your workforce? The Sector-based Work Academy Programme (SWAP) support people into employment and develop the specific skills an employer is looking for.

Programmes are delivered with the employer, lasting up to 3 weeks. It includes:
- Pre-employment training
- Work experience placements
- Guaranteed job interviews
Contact the employer engagement team at Job Centre Plus for more information: Call 07900746901 or email paul.munday2@dwp.gov.uk.

Courses and workshops available to you

Did you know there are fully funded courses available to upskill your staff?

Below you can browse fully funded courses available to you. If you’re unsure where to start, get in touch with the Skills Brokerage Service and the team will be happy to guide you.

Digital courses

Improve your knowledge of Microsoft programmes, such as Word, Excel, and PowerPoint via the Digital Futures programme, delivered by DBC Training.

Access higher-level digital training, including generative AI in digital marketing, cyber security and green digital skills. Contact Am Seabright on am@althausdigital.co.uk or visit the Althaus website to find out more.

More digital skills training is available through Skills Bootcamps. These are free, flexible courses of up to 16 weeks. You can also build sector-specific skills and fast-track to an interview with a local employer.

You can also access 12 weeks of digital skills through the Chesterfield Skills Accelerator Initiative. The programme offers a dedicated business advisor as well as training workshops designed to support development, energy audits and more. Register your interest by filling out the Chesterfield Accelerator form.

Care sector workers can progress their careers through a range of digital skills training from specialist training provider, Workers Education Association.

Do you or your team need support with mastering Excel? Chesterfield College has flexible courses to help individuals improve their confidence with numbers, formulas, and data. Contact workskills@chesterfield.ac.uk or Chesterfield College’s website to find out more.

Management
Learn how to develop a business growth plan to lead your organisation to achieve its full potential.

This almost fully-funded course lasts twelve weeks and is open to managers and business leaders. It is delivered by the University of Derby and designed to boost business performance, resilience and long-term growth.

Team leading

Help your team members step into a leadership role with a level 2 qualification in team leading. The course takes place remotely over six weeks and you can access Government funding to cover the cost. More info can be found on Chesterfield College’s website.

English and Maths

If you’re looking to develop the numeracy skills of your staff, Derbyshire County Council runs Multiply to share maths skills for work and life. These short courses cover specific numeracy skills required in your workplace. Derbyshire County Council works with you to design a bespoke plan for you and your employees. All consultation, development and delivery is free. For more information, email: multiply@derbyshire.gov.uk.

The Skills Toolkit is a national upskilling service with free courses for jobs including English and Maths. This can be used for upskilling your existing staff as well as a recruitment tool to attract new members of staff

Skills for construction, engineering and manufacturing businesses

Funded green skills courses for construction businesses include Solar panel installation, Hybrid Vehicle Safety Training, Hybrid Vehicle Repair Training Electric Vehicle Charging Point installation, Air Source Heat Pump Installation and commissioning, Installing internal/workplace wall insulation and NOCN Level 2 Award in Sustainability. These courses can be accessed through Chesterfield College.

Want to develop skills or talent in construction, engineering and manufacturing, green skills, HGV driving or rail? Skills Bootcamps are free and flexible courses of up to 16 weeks. Get in touch with the D2N2 Skills Bootcamp Project Officers via skillsbootcamps@d2n2lep.org.

Funding for the above programmes has been provided through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF).

Harness skills and resources from nearby training providers

Chesterfield is home to the largest further education college in Derbyshire. Furthermore, we have five universities within a 45-minute drive, including a campus in the town centre. Boost your business by harnessing the skills and resources on offer locally.

Chesterfield College Group offer support and services for any businesses looking to bring in fresh talent. Perhaps you’re considering hiring an apprentice? The college will support you to advertise vacancies, sifting through applications and assist with the interview process. Call 0345 850 1055 or email info@learningunlimiteduk.com in order to learn more about hiring an apprentice. Moreover, if you have a general business enquiry or want to understand how you can work together, contact the Business Development Team: James Lund, Interim Director of Sales on email lundj@chesterfield.ac.uk or call 07875 193462. Alternatively, contact Rachael Wood, Business Development Consultant, by emailing woodr1@chesterfield.ac.uk or call 07966 524196.

From working with talented students and graduates to fully funded support for business support and training, The University of Derby can work with you to grow your business. Contact the dedicated Business Engagement Team on 0800 001 5500 in order to see how they can work with you.

The Sheffield Innovation Programme is a regional initiative which aims to stimulate growth and promote the development of long-term relationships with SMEs, by providing access to a broad range of academic expertise and university facilities. The support is in the form of bespoke research and innovation-based consultancy, workshops, and other events.

Derbyshire JobCentre Plus

Work with Derbyshire JobCentre Plus for support and information about local labour availability, wage rates, employment subsidies or training.

A package of assistance can be tailor-made to meet your needs. This may include pre-employment courses to prepare people for specific entry criteria; Work Trials which allow job seekers and the business to test out a job for a couple of weeks before committing; and help for applicants with tools, clothes etc.

In addition, if you are registered unemployed and have been in receipt of either Job Seekers Allowance or Employment Support Allowance, then Job Centre Plus can advise you about New Enterprise Allowance which offers financial assistance to help you start a business.

Contact Derbyshire Jobcentre Plus on 07900746901 or email Paul Munday, Employer Advisor on paul.munday2@dwp.gov.uk.

Inclusive Recruitment

Want to attract fresh talent? Consider adopting an inclusive recruitment approach. By attracting candidates from diverse backgrounds, you not only broaden your talent pool but also invite a rich mix of skills, experiences, and perspectives into your team.

The following organisations can offer support and guidance:

British Association of Supported Employment (BASE) is the national voice for providers of specialist employment support. They promote the principles and delivery of high-quality Supported Employment services while working to improve the employment rates of disabled people.

Department for Work and Pensions can provide information about employing disabled people as well as how the Disability Confident employer scheme can help your business.

Want more information and support? Contact DEBP at enquiries@debp.org with the subject ‘Inclusive Recruitment Support’.

Help young people prepare for work

Support schools and colleges with careers and employability events

Our talented young people need our support to gain skills and knowledge for the workplace. Can you support a school with its careers and employability events? If so, then please register your interest in an upcoming event by contacting Tara Underhill at Destination Chesterfield to say you’d like your details shared with your preferred school(s).

Brookfield Community School

No further events planned for this academic year but please express your interest for the future.

Netherthorpe School

The school seeks employers across all sectors to offer 1-week work experiences for students during the following dates:

30.06.25 – 04.07.25 (Year 10 students)

Outwood Academy Hasland Hall

11.03.25: Mock Interview Day with Y10 – looking for at least 15 businesses or 2-3 people per business to interview students in preparation for real job interviews.

13.03.25 (09:30am – 1:00pm): Employers Question Time with Y7 – looking for 8/10 businesses. 1 to 2 employers per table speaking to students for 8 minutes and then moving tables.

Beginning of July 2025: Work experience with Y10 & Y11 – looking for businesses to support one-week placements.

Outwood Academy Newbold

14.07.25 (08:30am – 2:30pm): Mock interview Day with Y10. Looking for businesses to interview students in preparation for real job interviews.

Parkside School

The school seeks employers from the mechanics, construction, trades, general business, hospitality, and social care sectors to offer 1-week work experiences for students during the following dates:

07.07.25 – 11.07.25 (Year 10 students)

Springwell Community School

No further events planned for this academic year but please express your interest for the future.

Springwell Community College

07.07.25 (9:30am – 12:00pm/12:30pm): Get In 2 Apprenticeship event – employers and current apprentices needed to meet with students from disadvantaged backgrounds and provide insight into career options. For the event, each employer will ideally bring one or more apprentices to support a Meet the Employer session; a business representative to facilitate a skills session; and a small pop up careers stand. This event will be interactive and led by East Midlands Combined County Career Hub and The Early Talent Consultancy.

St Mary’s Catholic High School

06.03.25: Careers Speed Networking event (Y9). This will involve volunteers speaking to small groups of students at the school about the volunteer’s current job, career and education path. The aim is to broaden students’ horizons and help them become more confident in professional situations.

Careers Café lunchtime sessions once a month – St Marys will work around employer availability.

The school seeks employers across all sectors to offer work experiences for students during the following dates:

04.06.25 – 06.06.25: (Year 12 students)

01.07.25 – 02.07.25: (Year 10 students)

Tupton Hall

No further events planned for this academic year but please express your interest for the future.

Whittington Green School

14.07.25: World of work day (mock interviews).

Outwood Academy City School, Sheffield
05.03.2025: Careers Fair for all year groups (7-11) – Looking for a mixture of higher education, further education, apprenticeships, and employers to inspire students for their next steps after leaving Outwood City.
To register interest in these upcoming events, contact Tara Underhill at Destination Chesterfield and let her know you’d like your details shared with your preferred school(s). More schools will share information soon.
How can you better engage with young people?

Track your progress in engaging with young people through an online self-assessment tool from Derbyshire Education Business Partnership. It takes 25 minutes to complete and afterwards you can compare your business to industry peers and gain resources to help you improve.