Skills & Employment
Skills and Employment
Empowering Businesses. Developing Talent. Driving Growth.
Amber Valley is committed to helping local businesses thrive by connecting them with the right people, skills, and support. Whether you're looking to upskill your workforce, recruit new talent, or engage with local training providers, we’re here to help you grow.
Support for Employers
We work closely with local and regional partners to offer a wide range of services tailored to business needs.
|
|
Recruitment Support Access local talent through job fairs, apprenticeship schemes, and direct links with colleges and universities. |
|
Workforce Development Tap into funded training programmes to upskill your team in areas like digital skills, leadership, green technologies, and more. |
|
|
Apprenticeships & Placements Partner with local education providers to offer apprenticeships, T-Level placements, and internships. |
|
Redundancy & Restructuring Support Get guidance and support during periods of change to help retain skills and support affected employees. |
Unlock Potential: Training, Skills & Support for Your Business and Your Workforce
Discover local initiatives designed to help your business grow and your workforce thrive. From upskilling opportunities and recruitment support to tailored training and employer networks.
-
- Sector Specific Training – Programmes in manufacturing, hospitality, digital, and green industries visit D2N2 Growth Hub.
- Access to Employment - If your employees live in Derbyshire and transport difficulties are stopping them from getting to work, training or college, Wheels to Work can help.
- Digital Support Derbyshire
Rural Action Derbyshire is dedicated to closing the digital divide across Derbyshire. Everyone should have the opportunity to connect online and benefit from digital access. Their work includes supporting NHS digital services, growing the number of Digital Champions, and strengthening the digital resilience of local organisations. For more information visit Digital Support Derbyshire | Rural Action Derbyshire.
Derbyshire County Council, Adult Apprenticeship Levy Transfer Scheme offers employers support as part of its apprenticeship levy across the county. Here's a breakdown of what it involves:
What Is the Levy Transfer?
The Apprenticeship Levy is a UK government initiative requiring large employers (with a payroll over £3 million) to contribute 0.5% of their pay bill to fund apprenticeships. These funds are stored in a digital account and can be used to pay for apprenticeship training and assessment.
Derbyshire County Council's Role
Derbyshire County Council, as a levy-paying employer, is allowed to transfer up to 25% of its unused levy funds to other employers particularly small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Derbyshire. This helps:
- Cover the full cost of apprenticeship training and assessment for eligible SMEs.
- Support skills development and economic growth across the county.
- Keep apprenticeship investment local.
Eligibility
- SMEs in Derbyshire with a payroll under £3 million.
- Businesses looking to recruit new apprentices or upskill existing staff.
Benefits
- SMEs normally contribute 5% toward apprenticeship costs (up to £1,350), but under this scheme, Derbyshire County Council covers 100% of those costs.
How to Apply
Interested businesses can contact, Leigh McKenzie, Senior Economic Development Officer, DCC, telephone 01629538153 or by email Leigh.Mckenzie@derbyshire.gov.uk
Support Young People. Shape Your Future Workforce
Amber Valley businesses have an opportunity to shape the future workforce by partnering with the EMCCA Careers Hub. These initiatives connect employers with local schools and colleges, helping young people gain the skills, experiences, and insights they need to succeed.
Whether through mentoring, workplace visits, or strategic careers support, your involvement makes a lasting impact, on students and your business.
To help you get started, the Employer Standards: Shaping Your Workforce of Tomorrow is a simple self-assessment tool from the Careers and Enterprise Company. It helps you reflect on your current engagement with young people and identify ways to grow your impact while aligning with your talent development goals.
The Open Doors Programme, managed by the Direct Education Business Partnership (DEBP) and funded by the East Midlands Combined County Authority Careers Hub, inspires young minds across the region by connecting students with real-world career opportunities.
The programme offers students the chance to visit local businesses, meet professionals, and explore a wide range of industries, from heritage and engineering to healthcare and hospitality. These immersive experiences are designed to support the Gatsby Benchmarks for good career guidance, helping students make informed decisions about their futures.
👉 Learn more at EMCCA Careers Hub – East Midlands Combined County Authority
👉 Complete the self-assessment: Employer Standards | The Careers and Enterprise Company
👉 Get involved in the Open Doors Programme: Home | Open Doors by Direct Education Business Partnership, Millennium Way, Chesterfield, UK.
We collaborate with a wider network of trusted providers to ensure your business has access to the right training and talent pipelines:
👉 University of Derby – Higher-level skills, research partnerships, and graduate recruitment
👉 Derby College Group – Vocational training, apprenticeships, and employer-led programmes
Building Futures: Upcoming Employment and Skills Events in Amber Valley
 |
FutureFusion - Amber Valley Skills Festival – 6 March 2026Amber Valley, in partnership with Idea4Careers, is proud to present the FutureFusion, Amber Valley Skills Festival - 6th March 2026! This dynamic event will bring together employers, training providers, and support organisations to inspire and connect with future generations. 🎯 Why attend?
Each organisation will be provided with a dedicated display space. Venue: Strutt Community Centre, Belper Secure your space by completing our quick registration form Exhibitor Registration Form Let’s build a stronger, more skilled Amber Valley together. This event is funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. It is delivered by Ideas4Careers. |
 |
Hold the Date: Amber Valley Jobs Fair – March 2026!Are you an employer or service provider looking to connect with local talent and community members? Don’t miss your chance to take part in the Amber Valley Jobs Fair! ✅ Showcase your vacancies and services Each participating organisation will be provided with a dedicated display table. 📍 Location and exact date to be confirmed – stay tuned! Whether you're hiring, offering support services, or simply want to raise your profile in the community, this is an event not to be missed. For more information or to get on the list to secure your spot at the March event email steve.swain@dwp.gov.uk or call 03000 823946. |
To learn more about current programmes and opportunities, or to speak with someone directly, get in touch and we’ll connect you with the right people and support.