Douglas Employment & Skills Hub

A Safe Space to Build Confidence, Develop Skills and Create Opportunities

The Douglas Employment & Skills Hub is the first phase of Douglas Skills Trust’s delivery model, providing a welcoming and accessible community space in Northampton town centre where young people and adults can access the support they need to overcome barriers and progress towards education, training and employment.

The Hub has been designed as a bridge between individuals, education providers, employers, community organisations and specialist support services, helping people access the right support at the right time.

CV & Interview Preparation

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Mentoring

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Employment Support

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Careers Guidance

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Employer Connections

CV & Interview Preparation ✳︎ Mentoring ✳︎ Employment Support ✳︎ Careers Guidance ✳︎ Employer Connections

Who We Support

The Hub will support individuals who may face barriers to progressing into education, training or employment, including:

  • Young people aged 16–25.

  • Young people who are not in education, employment or training (NEET).

  • Care leavers.

  • Unemployed and economically inactive adults.

  • Individuals experiencing confidence, wellbeing or personal barriers.

  • People who need additional support to access opportunities.

What We Offer

Through personalised support and practical guidance, the Hub will provide:

  • One-to-one mentoring.

  • Careers guidance and progression planning.

  • Employability support.

  • CV development and interview preparation.

  • Job search assistance.

  • Digital skills development.

  • Confidence building and life skills support.

  • Wellbeing support.

  • Employer engagement and links to opportunities.

  • Signposting and referral into specialist services where appropriate.

Supporting Young People and Reducing Barriers

A key focus of the Hub is supporting young people who may be at risk of disengaging from education, training or employment.

Working alongside schools, colleges and training providers, we aim to provide early intervention, mentoring and personalised support for individuals experiencing barriers such as:

  • Low confidence.

  • Lack of direction.

  • Attendance challenges.

  • Wellbeing concerns.

  • Limited access to support networks.

By providing consistent guidance and encouragement, we aim to help individuals build resilience, remain engaged and progress towards positive destinations.

Working in Partnership

The Hub will work collaboratively with:

  • Employers.

  • Colleges and training providers.

  • Local authorities.

  • Community organisations.

  • Housing providers.

  • Support services.

  • Voluntary sector partners.

Through strong partnership working, we aim to complement existing services and create stronger pathways into education, apprenticeships, training and employment.

A Pathway Towards Future Opportunities

The Employment & Skills Hub provides the foundation for the wider Douglas Skills Trust model.

As individuals progress, they will be able to access future opportunities through:

  • Education and skills development.

  • Vocational learning.

  • Construction skills taster sessions.

  • Employer engagement.

  • Work experience.

  • Apprenticeship pathways.

  • Future Skills Academy development.

  • Douglas Reclaim social enterprise opportunities.

Our Vision

At Douglas Skills Trust, we believe that with the right support, guidance and opportunities, individuals can overcome barriers, develop their potential and create a positive future.

The Douglas Employment & Skills Hub will provide a trusted place where people can gain confidence, develop skills and take meaningful steps towards education, training and employment.

Real Support. Real Skills. Real Change.

“Success is to be measured not so much by the position that one has reached in life as by the obstacles which TheY haVE overcome.”

Booker T Washington