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Recruitment and Skills Support

Whether you are a small employer looking to recruit, a business growing rapidly, or you are considering relocating to Darlington, our team offer a range of impartial, free, and confidential recruitment and skills support.

We work with our local network to support your business with recruitment and training and can signpost to various training providers/services and funding streams.

Having the right team in your business is the basis for growth, and if you are considering investing in Apprenticeships we’re here to help too.

The Invest in Darlington team gives employers a point of contact to match their recruitment and skills needs and it is open to all businesses, large or small, established, or new!

Darlington Jobs Fair

Darlington Jobs Fair is a large recruitment event which is a regular on the calendar in Darlington, latest event: Thursday 8th February 2024.

Darlington Jobs Fair regularly welcomes around 100 employers and support organisations showcasing hundreds of jobs in healthcare, life science, construction, engineering, professional services, manufacturing, retail, transport, and logistics – if you are recruiting this really is an event not to miss!

JOBS newspaper [pdf document, 7.5MB]

Contact business.support@darlington.gov.uk for more information.

45%

of all apprenticeships started between Aug 2014 and Jan 2015 were for advanced or higher level apprenticeships

20

applications per vacancy for the engineering sector (based on latest figures)

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Skills for Growth – Support for Tees Valley businesses

Skills for Growth is a fully funded resource for Tees Valley SMEs, offering impartial advice to help you access training and skills support to upskill your current workforce, and turn your business plans into a reality

They can also identify and help fill any skills gaps within your team

Apprenticeships

Having the right team in your business is the basis for strong growth, and apprenticeships are an excellent option for recruitment and upskilling requirements.

Hiring an apprentice is an effective way for you to grow talent and develop a motivated, skilled and qualified workforce.

Apprentices tend to be loyal, motivated and flexible within the company that invested in their future.

They bring fresh new ideas to your business along with the opportunity to maximise the potential of your employees. 

Apprenticeships can help bridge the gap to skills shortages and boost productivity.

Learning and Skills

Darlington Borough Council’s Learning and Skills team offer a wide range of learning opportunities for all ages including adults who want to develop their careers.

Courses range from functional skills and GCSEs in maths, English and ICT, to accredited level 2 courses that cover various aspects of care, principles of customer service, team leading and warehousing, plus lots more.

Many of the courses available are free, online and can be done via distance learning.

Learning & Skills Service Aim:

  • To provide a sustainable, high-quality learning and skills offer for all residents and employers of Darlington and the wider Tees Valley, particularly for vulnerable members of the community.
  • To provide high quality learning, teaching and assessment to all our learners, and a service in which learners are motivated to successfully complete their qualifications.
  • Learners to progress to successful employment or to further learning.

Darlington Borough Council - Learning & Skills