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Careers information and advice

Updated: 22/08/2017

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In Scotland, if you turn 16 between 1 March and 30 September you cannot leave school until after 31 May of that year.

If you turn 16 between 1 October and the end of February you cannot leave school until the start of the Christmas holidays in that school year.

New National Minimum Wage rates from 1st April 2017 are:

There are different levels of NMW,depending on your age and whether you are an apprentice. The current rates are:

·  £7.50–The main rate for workers aged 25 and over

·  £7.05 – The 21-24 rate

·  £5.60– The 18-20 rate

·  £4.05 The under 18 rate

·  £3.50 – The apprentice rate

Local opportunities within the centre, Livingston:

Website: http://www.shopthecentre.co.uk and http://www.livingston-designer-outlet.co.uk/careers

Website: https://www.gov.uk/jobsearch

Apprenticeships website: www.apprenticeships.scot

Criteria for Vulnerable Young Person for Community Jobs Scotland. Please note referral can only be completed by SDS and Job Centre staff.

·  Person with a criminal conviction

·  Care Leaver or care experienced

·  Military early service leaver (having served up to 6 years)

·  Carer

·  Person with a disability (includes moderate mental healthissues or long term health condition)

·  Person currently participating on an Activity Agreement

·  Homeless person (including temporary or unstable accommodation)

·  Person affected by substance misuse ( Ie alcohol, drugs)

·  Person with lower that SCQF Level 5 qualification

·  Work programme completers who remain unemployed

·  Adviser Discretion (includes refugees/person with immigration allowed to undertake employment and ethnic minority groups etc)

Steps N2 Work (West Lothian Council)

Wage Subsidy: Jobs with West Lothian employers (not West Lothian Council) 50% of the salary is paid to the employer for up to 52 weeks depending on the young person’s age.

West Lothian Job Fund: These are training opportunities with West Lothian Council. The criteria for the young person is the same as the wage subsidy and these opportunities last 26 weeks. They are paid 75% of the band for the job they are doing, however it will meet NMW. They can then apply for internal posts while they are in their job fund.

StepsN2Work criteria: 16-24 year olds only – West Lothian Steps N2 Work eligibility conditions apply.

West Lothian Steps N2 Work opportunities are open to West Lothian Residents only.

Applicants aged 16-18 must be unemployed, applicants 19-24 must be 3 months unemployed or have previously engaged with MCMC or GRFW

Job Title / Company Name / Pay / Requirements / How to Apply
Apprentice Joiner / Heriot Watt University, Edinburgh / £10,050–£22,876 / To train as an Apprentice Joiner and develop the required level of skills, knowledge, experience and competence during a 4 year apprenticeship programme. To ensure that expected levels of performance on the job and through vocational studies are maintained throughout the apprenticeship.
Essential
Achieved/expecting to achieve:-
·  3 National 4/5?s or Standard grades or equivalent: English, Maths and Practical Craft Skills, subjects all at Level 3 or above.
Essential
·  Capable of working on own or as a team member.
·  Ability to work at heights.
·  Ability to work in confined spaces.
·  Ability to follow instructions
·  Ability to cope with outside working environment.
·  Demonstrate level of manual dexterity.
·  A customer-focussed individual as the post involves contact with a diverse range of personnel at all levels within and out-with the University and possess a pleasant personality and disposition.
Desirable
·  General knowledge of construction related works.
·  Knowledge of tools.
·  Knowledge of materials.
·  Appreciation of safety
·  Knowledge of the use of information technology in construction. / https://www.hw.ac.uk/about/work/jobs/job_SVJDMTEwMjA.htm
Closing date: 4th september
Apprentice Mechanical engineer / Heriot Watt University, Edinburgh / £12,045–£21,587 / This is a marvellous opportunity for an ambitious and enthusiastic individual who has the desire and willingness to learn and gain the skills of a fully qualified Trades person over a four year period. The individual as well as being enthusiastic to learn would also gain all the skills, abilities and experience necessary to work constructively as a part of a skilled team of staff who support the University and its Estate.
A Modern Apprenticeship is a work based training programme that leads to an industry approved qualification. The training is both on and off-the-job, ensuring modern apprentices learn the right mix of skills, abilities and knowledge.
You will work in a small team of Mechanical Engineers, working within a multi-trade workforce. You will carry out day to day maintenance and minor works on a variety of mechanical systems in both academic and residential buildings. The work includes operation of a variety of mechanical systems, boiler plant and heating and ventilation systems. These are important and responsible tasks within an interesting and rewarding working environment providing both regular maintenance on an expanding campus and more specific works for research projects.
2.0 Job Purpose
To train as an Apprentice Mechanical Engineer and develop the required level of skills, knowledge, experience and competence during a 4 year apprenticeship programme. To ensure that expected levels of performance on the job and through vocational studies are maintained throughout the apprenticeship.
·  As a minimum requirement you should hold (or awaiting results expecting to achieve) 3 National 5?s or Standard Grade qualifications (or equivalent) in Maths, English and a science subject Physics and / or Chemistry all at credit level.
·  Further technical and / or information studies would be of benefit along with an understanding of the principles of mechanics and engineering services. / https://www.hw.ac.uk/about/work/jobs/job_SVJDMTEwMTY.htm
Closing date: 4th September
Modern Apprentice Business Admin Assistant / Broxburn / £7000-£8000pa / Your duties will involve:
Answering phone, helping with queries, taking messages
Filing/scanning
Assisting with preparation of financial reports
Assisting with payroll
Sending out and chasing up the return of registration forms

What will I learn?

You will learn on the job a variety of new skills and how to develop these in a busy working environment. This will contribute to your MA qualification Business Administration L2 where you will be assessed in the workplace.
You will also learn more personal qualities such as;
• Good communication skills, both oral and written
• Good organisational skills
• Good interpersonal and customer service skills
• An ability to work using own initiative within boundaries
• An ability to work effectively with people across a wide range of levels and responsibilities
• Good team-working skills

What qualification or qualities are required?

• Good standard of education
• Good numerical skills
• Customer Service
• Positive outlook
• Team Player
• Excellent time keeping
• Ability to problem solve and use your own initiative
• Good Planning skills
• Good Communications Skills
• Computer Systems Literate / To apply visit: www.apprenticeships.scot
Closing date: 31st August
Trainee Administrator / Bathgate / £11000-£13000pa / This is an exciting opportunity for a recent school leaver to join the busy distribution department of a large transportation company. Working in a thriving team you will be very much a part of ensuring the traffic process of managing all company vehicles throughout the UK, runs smoothly and within agreed timescales.

What might a typical day in this job look like?

The Trainee Administrator will be trained in duties which will include dealing with telephone and email enquiries, inputting data onto the system, routing vehicles, sorting staffing shifts and cover, monitoring the process through speaking with colleagues and checking on the system, updating files, following company policies and procedures, dealing with issues and problem solving, communicating with colleagues and other departments and using photocopier and other office equipment.

What will I learn?

You will undertake an SVQ Level 3 Business Administration, and have the opportunity to improve your IT skills through the use of Microsoft IT Academy.
Through continuous self-development you will also improve your communication skills, ability to manage timescales and prioritise your workload.

What qualification or qualities are required?

Ideally we are looking for National 5s including Maths and English, or Higher Grades.
Other personal attributes desired include confident communication and social skills, good IT and keyboard skills, willing to learn, able to use initiative and move from one task to another, good team player, a mature attitude, and ideally someone who has undertaken some form of holiday or weekend job while at school. / To apply visit: www.apprenticeships.scot
Closing date: 31st August
Modern Apprentice Customer Service / SCC Livingston / £10000 pa / Key responsibilities:
• Research and business intelligence gathering to support a business development team
• Making effective outbound calls with key decision makers
• Identifying new sales opportunities
• Inquisitive by nature and able to take responsibility for pipeline development
• Business-to-business cold calling
• Making customers aware of suitable products available to meet their needs
• Accurate reporting and CRM management
• Customer visits if and when required
• Vendor engagement
• Focus on group target

What will I learn?

We are looking for talented modern apprentices to train with us as sales executives and join our sales teams and support our growth by securing and developing business with organisations through telesales.

What qualification or qualities are required?

Experience and qualifications: The successful candidate will:
• Be educated to National Level 5
• Demonstrate a strong desire to work within a sales environment
• Be a highly motivated pro-active self-starter
• Have a full UK driving license
Desirable
• Well-organised and commercially aware
• Background experience or strong interest in IT
• Sales experience would be an advantage
• Commitment and drive for business development
• Competent in relationship building / To apply visit: www.apprenticeships.scot
Closing date: 31st August
Restaurant Customer Advisor
16 hours / Dobbies / Here at Dobbies Garden Centres, we are looking for a Restaurant Customer Advisor to join our team. As a Restaurant customer advisor, your duties will include operating the till, clearing tables, replenishing fridge cabinets throughout the day, delivering excellent customer service, general housekeeping and any other activities associated with a retail catering operation. / https://careers.dobbies.com/restaurant-customer-advisor-5674.htm?utm_source=Indeed&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Indeed
Closing date: 3rd Septemeber
Kitchen Porter / Oscars bar and grill - Livingston / Jobs include the usual kitchen porter duties of making sure plates and kitchen equipment are clean to a high standard for use, as well as the open and closing down cleaning procedures / Hand in a CV
Team Member / Greggs, Ladywell / Age 16-17 Starter Rate: £6.36
Age 16-17 Full Rate: £6.56
Age 18+ Starter Rate: £7.50
Age 18+ Full Rate: £7.72 / Skills
To be able to:
·  Deliver a fast and friendly service to every customer consistently
·  Work as part of a team focused on delivering a fast and friendly customer experience
·  Achieve consistently high standards to meet customers’ expectations
·  Deliver relevant added-value to customers to increase sales
·  Support profit protection through effective cost control / https://www.greggsfamily.co.uk/job/Hawkbrae%2C-Ladywell%2C-Livingston-Team-Member-EH54-6TW/348946501/?utm_source=Indeed&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=Indeed
Team member / KFC / Front of House - You’ll be the first person our customers meet when they visit our restaurants, it’s up to us to create a fantastic experience for each and every one of them. Our Front of House team are friendly, welcoming and making our customers feel like they made the right choice to eat with us.
Middle of House - Whilst not in a customer facing position it will be your responsibility to ensure the product we deliver to our customers is the very best, supporting our Front of House team by delivering the perfect product you have prepared / https://www.indeed.co.uk/viewjob?jk=53b0fcb9c0c0b6aa&l=livingston&tk=1bo74o38v9molbip&from=web
Customer Service Advisor
16 hours / Halfords / Retail experience desired. Bring your personality, enthusiasm and passion for Retail and Customer Service and we’ll give you the tools and training to be a success! / https://jobs.halfordscareers.com/vacancies/3399/customer-service-advisor-16-hours.html?mid=496
Customer Adviser / Sketchers / Experience in fashion and footwear will be considered and advantage / https://jobs.smartrecruiters.com/Skechers1/743999657822174-get-in-touch-with-skechers-livingston-designer-outlet-?referrer=210
Kitchen Team Member / Chiquito / To cook dishes to specification, cleaning duties, flexibility, ability to work under pressure in a fast paced environment, fully comply with food safety/ health and hygiene standards. Experience preferred although not essential. Full training provided
/ https://www.indeed.co.uk/cmp/Chiquito/jobs/Kitchen-Team-Member-4f0272f32ab9cf96
Cleaner / B&M / Were currently recruiting for an energetic Cleaner to join us in store.
·  Experience in a similar role
·  Passionate about delivering great customer service
·  The ability to think on your feet in a fast paced environment
·  Have a flexible approach with a ‘can do’ attitude / http://bmretailweb.itssystems.co.uk/vacancies/4081/cleaner--livingston.html?Source=indeed
Sales Assistant
One Saturday vacancy and one Sunday vacancy / WH Smith / ·  Experience gained within a retail environment preferred
·  Confident approach towards maximising sales opportunities
·  Flexibility towards working hours
·  Strong communication skills and ability to participate as a key team member / https://krb-sjobs.brassring.com/TGnewUI/Search/home/HomeWithPreLoad?PageType=JobDetails&jobId=188687&PartnerId=30012&SiteId=5104&codes=1-INDEED#jobDetails=undefined
Stockroom Assistant
Part time Monday 5.30pm-9.30pm & Saturday 9am-2pm / Next / You’ll process stock deliveries accurately and efficiently to get the new stock onto the sales floor as quickly as possible for our customers / http://careers.next.co.uk/vacancies#/Item?id=401508&utm_campaign=Feed&utm_source=Indeed&utm_medium=referral
Team Member / Krispy Kreme / ·  A passion for the Krispy Kreme brand
·  A willingness to learn and develop in the role
·  Ability to create a fun and engaging working environment