Our Experience

JET has been delivering the National Careers Service since 2012 in partnership with the Education Development Trust, helping thousands of people take their next steps into employment, learning and training. Prior to this, JET also delivered careers support for six years as part of the Connexions service, giving us over 20 years of experience supporting people with careers advice and guidance.

Impact

Over the last five years, JET has:

• Supported nearly 6,000 people to develop their careers, improve their skills and progress towards employment.
• Helped more than half of participants achieve a positive outcome by moving into employment, learning or training.
• Provided personalised careers guidance, CV support, interview preparation and job search advice to people of all ages and backgrounds.
• Supported clients to understand the UK labour market, access training opportunities and compare overseas qualifications with UK equivalents.
• Continued to deliver a trusted, professional careers service as part of the National Careers Service network. 

Programme Completion

The National Careers Service programme concludes soon following a national government decision to bring the National Careers Service in-house.

From 1 October 2026, the service becomes part of the new Jobs and Careers Service, integrating the National Careers Service with Jobcentre Plus.

The National Careers Service at JET will end in September 2026. If you are looking for careers advice after this date, please visit the relevant government careers service or contact JET to find out about our current support.

North East Hongkongers Club ESOL Partnership

Completed Programme

From late 2021 to April 2026, JET worked in partnership with the North East Hongkongers Club to support British Nationals (Overseas) from Hong Kong as they settled into life in the UK.

Funded primarily by Newcastle City Council and Gateshead Council, the partnership delivered more than ten rounds of English language (ESOL) classes alongside careers guidance and practical support to help learners develop their English, build confidence and successfully integrate into their local communities. Classes were delivered both face-to-face and online, covering everyday English, workplace communication, employability and life in the UK. A library of online learning resources was developed, ensuring learners could continue learning independently.

As community needs evolved, JET secured additional funding through the North East Migration Partnership (NEMP) to expand the programme. This enabled the delivery of specialist B1 for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) preparation classes, digital inclusion projects, and a wide range of integration activities.

Working with a variety of local organisations and community partners, learners took part in sessions covering employment, volunteering, health and wellbeing, digital skills, housing, local services and community life. The programme also included visits to local cultural and heritage sites, helping participants build confidence, make social connections and develop a stronger sense of belonging within the North East.
Throughout the partnership, many learners progressed into employment, further learning and other JET programmes. By combining English language learning with practical integration support, the programme helped participants build the skills, confidence and local knowledge needed to establish themselves in their new communities.

Impact

• Delivered multiple rounds of ESOL classes between 2021 and 2026.
• Supported over 200 British Nationals (Overseas) from Hong Kong through English language learning, careers guidance and integration support.
• Secured additional funding from the North East Migration Partnership (NEMP) to expand support.
• Delivered specialist B1 for ILR preparation, achieving a 100% pass rate for learners who took the exam through the funded programme.
• Delivered digital inclusion, housing and community integration projects, helping learners access essential services and build confidence in everyday life.
• Organised wellbeing, employability and cultural activities in partnership with organisations across the North East.
• Developed a long-standing partnership with Northumberland National Park, delivering outdoor wellbeing activities, creative workshops and guided visits that promoted mental wellbeing, reduced social isolation and helped learners build a stronger connection with their local environment.
• Contributed to The Grounding Project, a collaboration with Newcastle University and Northumberland National Park that explored nature, creativity and belonging through art, culminating in a short documentary celebrating participants' experiences.
  

Our learners' voices:

"I eagerly attend the English classes in JET every week. I enjoy learning during the lesson."

"Learning English has helped me access more information, connect with people worldwide, and create better opportunities for education and work. It has also made me more confident in communicating and understanding different cultures."



SOLVE – Skills, ESOL, Volunteering & Employment

Newcastle Fund Round 15 (2025 -2026)

Completed Programme

SOLVE (Skills, ESOL, Volunteering & Employment) was a holistic employability and integration programme funded through Newcastle Fund Round 15. The project supported people facing barriers to employment by combining personalised careers guidance, English language (ESOL) provision and practical skills development to help participants build stable, independent lives.

Every participant received one-to-one support from a dedicated Employment Advisor, beginning with a personalised needs assessment to identify their goals, strengths and any barriers they faced. Depending on individual needs, participants accessed tailored employability guidance, ESOL tuition, confidence-building activities and practical support to prepare for work in the UK.

The programme combined English language learning with digital skills, volunteering opportunities, employability training and community integration. Participants developed practical communication skills, improved their confidence using technology, learned how to navigate UK services and received support with CV writing, job searching, interview preparation and career planning. Where appropriate, they were also referred to specialist training providers and local organisations to continue their journey into employment, education or volunteering.

By taking a flexible, person-centred approach, SOLVE helped participants develop the confidence, skills and independence needed to progress towards sustainable employment while becoming more active and connected members of their local communities.



Impact

• Supported over 60 participants, exceeding the original project target.
• Provided 100% of participants with personalised one-to-one guidance and tailored action planning.
• Delivered ESOL and confidence-building support to around 70% of participants, while providing intensive employability support for those ready to enter work.
• Supported participants into employment, volunteering, education and accredited training, including ESOL Level 1, Food Hygiene, Food Allergies and forklift training.
• Improved participants' confidence, communication and digital skills, helping them navigate UK services and the modern job market.
• Helped individuals gain valuable UK experience through volunteering with organisations including SEARCH, NEST and the Angelou Centre.
• Enabled participants to identify transferable skills, pursue meaningful career pathways and build long-term independence through tailored, person-centred support.

Our participants' voices:

"Helpful, practical and professional."

"Thank you so much for your guidance and support .You motivated me a lot ."



Wise Group - Relational Mentoring Programme with JET

 Completed Programme

JET partnered with The Wise Group to deliver the Relational Mentoring Programme across Newcastle and Sunderland between 2023 and 2026, providing holistic support to economically inactive people aged 16 and over who faced multiple barriers to employment.

Through personalised one-to-one mentoring, participants received tailored support to improve their confidence, wellbeing and employability. Alongside mentoring, JET delivered specialist ESOL provision, helping learners improve their English language skills while developing the confidence and practical communication needed for work, education and everyday life in the UK.

The programme also included employability support, digital inclusion, community engagement and referrals to wider services, ensuring participants received wrap-around support based on their individual circumstances. As part of the wider partnership, JET shared its expertise by delivering immigration awareness and best practice sessions for partner organisations, helping strengthen local understanding of refugee and migrant communities while improving referral pathways.

Following the initial delivery phase, JET continued supporting participants through the programme's Transition Phase, ensuring participants remained connected to mentoring and appropriate ongoing support until the programme concluded in March 2026.

Support included

• One-to-one mentoring and personalised action planning
• Tailored ESOL classes linked to employability
• Health, wellbeing and confidence-building support
• Budgeting, housing and financial guidance
• Digital skills support
• CV writing, job searching and interview preparation
• Community engagement activities
• Immigration awareness sessions for partner organisations
• Signposting to education, volunteering and specialist community services

Impact

Mentoring

• Supported 73 participants during the main phase of the programme (April 2023 – September 2025).
• Continued delivery through the Transition Programme, supporting 70 mentoring journeys, including 48 new participants and 22 participants who continued from the earlier phase.
• Successfully achieved all programme targets before the programme concluded in March 2026.

ESOL & Community Support

• Supported over 30 learners through tailored ESOL provision delivered by JET.
• Exceeded the programme's ESOL delivery targets, helping learners improve their English language skills, confidence and readiness for employment.
• Combined English language learning with employability, digital inclusion and community integration.
• Delivered immigration awareness and best practice sessions for partner organisations, strengthening support for refugee and migrant communities across Newcastle and Sunderland.
  

Our partners' voices:
"We found the session extremely beneficial. It gave us a much better understanding of why people leave their countries, the challenges they face and the support they may need. It has helped us better support people from all backgrounds who use our service."

Our participants' voices:

"The teacher understood my level and my needs and always found a way to reach me. Always patient and respectful."

"My favourite part was the discussions about our lessons."

Talent Pool and Pathways programme

Completed Programme

Impact

The Talent Pool and Pathways programme exceeded many of its original targets, demonstrating the value of personalised, one-to-one employability support.

• More than 60 residents engaged with the programme, almost doubling the original engagement target (189%).
• Supported 36 economically inactive participants, reaching 300% of the target for keyworker support.
• Helped 47 people receive tailored employment support and 20 participants move into employment.
• Supported 12 people into education or training, with 8 participants successfully gaining a qualification.
• Enabled participants to access basic skills courses, retraining opportunities and personalised careers guidance aligned with local labour market needs.
• Improved confidence and employability for 29 participants, helping them develop the interpersonal skills needed to progress towards sustainable employment.
• Worked in partnership with local employers, training providers and specialist organisations to create meaningful progression routes into work.

Our participants' voices:

"Recently, my determination was finally rewarded. I was offered a paid role as a carer with Be Caring, bringing me one step closer to the goal I always hoped for."



"Thank you for giving me the chance to take part in the Green Start programme not once, but twice. Although I was unsuccessful at first, I succeeded the second time. I am very grateful for your continuous support from the beginning."

ESOL for Jobs

Completed Programme

Funded by Jobcentre Plus through the Flexible Support Fund (FSF), ESOL for Work was an intensive ten-week programme designed to help people improve their English language skills while preparing for employment in the UK.

Delivered in Newcastle and Gateshead with participants from all around Tyne and Wear, the programme ran four cohorts and combined bespoke vocational English language tuition with practical employability training, giving participants the confidence and skills needed to access further training, volunteering and employment. Every learner completed an ESOL assessment and received a personalised learning plan, ensuring support was tailored to their individual needs and career aspirations. During the ten months the programme ran, JET met with more than 120 people through referrals and assessments.

Alongside developing spoken and written English, participants learned about working life in the UK, workplace expectations, equality and diversity, customer service, digital skills, CV writing, interview techniques and sector-specific language for industries including hospitality, retail and care. Learners also received one-to-one support from JET staff and access to National Careers Service guidance to help them plan their next steps.

By combining language learning with practical employability support, ESOL for Work helped participants build the confidence, communication skills and workplace knowledge needed to begin successful and sustainable careers in the UK.

Impact

• Delivered 4 cohorts of the ESOL for Work programme.
• Exceeded the original target of 40 participants.
• Delivered an intensive 10-week programme of up to 16 hours of learning each week, combining English language tuition with employability skills.
• Provided every learner with an ESOL placement assessment, personalised learning plan and one-to-one support.
• Improved participants' confidence in spoken and written English while developing workplace communication, digital skills, CV writing and interview techniques.
• Introduced learners to UK workplace culture, employment rights and employer expectations, helping them prepare for sustainable employment.
• Worked closely with the National Careers Service and community partners to support progression into further training, volunteering and employment.

Our participants' voices:

"The course helped me discover a career I hadn't considered before and gave me the confidence to start training for it."

"The employability sessions, customer service training and support with my CV helped me secure a permanent job as a barista."

"The interview practice and encouragement I received gave me the confidence to succeed at my interview and secure a care role."



Employability and Skills

Newcastle Fund Round 13 (2022 -2023)

Completed Programme

Funded through Newcastle Fund Round 13, this project supported people facing barriers to employment by providing personalised careers guidance, skills development and tailored support to help them progress towards work, volunteering and further learning.

Participants received one-to-one Information, Advice and Guidance (IAG), including individual skills and needs assessments to identify their goals and create personalised action plans. Support included CV writing, job searching, interview preparation, understanding employer expectations and preparing for recruitment processes, including online assessments and job fairs.

Alongside employability support, participants accessed ESOL provision, accredited training and volunteering opportunities to build their confidence, gain UK experience and develop new skills. The project also connected participants with community organisations, specialist support services and the National Careers Service, helping them strengthen their integration into local communities while working towards sustainable employment.



By combining practical employability support with skills development and community connections, the programme helped participants build confidence, increase their independence and take positive steps towards employment.

Impact

• Supported more than 100 participants with personalised Information, Advice and Guidance (IAG), including individual skills and needs assessments, developing CVs, improving interview skills, understanding employer expectations and building confidence in the UK job market.
• Supported participants into employment across sectors including health and social care, hospitality, administration and manufacturing.
• Connected participants with volunteering opportunities through organisations including Success for All, The Millin Charity, SEARCH, The Comfrey Project and local community organisations.
• Enabled participants to access further learning and accredited training, including ESOL, IT, Food Hygiene, Health & Social Care, Customer Service, Construction and Interpreting.
• Linked participants to wider community support, including enterprise advice, welfare support, housing services and community activities to promote integration and wellbeing.
• Supported participants to attend job fairs and meet employers directly, helping them gain confidence and access new employment opportunities.

Wise Steps -

Building Better Opportunities (BBO)

Completed Programme

JET partnered with The Wise Group to deliver Wise Steps, a Building Better Opportunities programme that supported people from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic communities across Tyne & Wear to overcome barriers to employment between July 2019 and December 2022.

Delivered throughout the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond, the programme provided personalised, one-to-one support to help participants build confidence, improve their employability and progress towards employment, education or training. JET combined tailored employability support with specialist ESOL provision, helping learners develop the English language skills, confidence and practical knowledge needed to succeed in the UK workplace.

Working alongside specialist partners, the programme also connected participants with volunteering opportunities, training, digital support and wider community services, ensuring barriers beyond employment could also be addressed.

Support included

• One-to-one employability guidance
• Tailored ESOL classes linked to employment
• CV writing and job application support
• Interview preparation
• Careers advice and progression planning
• Training and skills development
• Volunteering and work placement opportunities
• Referrals to specialist community services

Impact

• Supported 345 participants across Tyne & Wear, including 198 refugees.
• 129 participants progressed into employment or self-employment, more than doubling the programme's original target of 52.
• Helped participants progress towards education, accredited training and volunteering.
• Continued providing support throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, adapting delivery to ensure participants remained connected to employment, training and essential services.
• At the end of the programme, participants were successfully connected to appropriate JET services and partner organisations to ensure continued support where needed. 
  

Funded through Building Better Opportunities by the European Social Fund and The National Lottery Community Fund.

Success in Action

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Wise Steps continued supporting participants to overcome barriers that extended far beyond employment. From helping learners access online classes through digital devices, to providing bilingual support, food vouchers and continued one-to-one guidance, the programme adapted quickly to ensure participants remained connected, supported and able to continue progressing towards their goals.

Many participants went on to achieve qualifications, secure employment or continue their learning, demonstrating the value of combining employability support with practical, personalised assistance.

Participant's Voice

“Many thanks to the Wise Steps project provided by JET, the ESOL learning, the one-to-one bilingual tutoring and encouragement provided by my advisor”.

English for Newcastle (CMF)
Completed Programme

English for Newcastle was JET's contribution to the Controlling Migration Fund (CMF) programme, delivered in partnership with Action Foundation and Newcastle City Council.

The project was designed to help refugees, asylum seekers, migrants and other new residents build the English language skills, confidence and local knowledge needed to settle successfully in Newcastle. By combining practical English lessons with information about everyday life in the UK, the programme helped participants become more independent while encouraging community participation and social inclusion.

Delivered initially through face-to-face community classes, the programme covered topics such as housing, healthcare, local services, neighbourhoods, recycling, transport, digital skills and life in Newcastle. A key feature of the project was its volunteer-led approach, with JET recruiting, training and supporting community volunteers to help deliver welcoming, informal ESOL sessions and create a pathway into more formal English language learning.

When the COVID-19 pandemic prevented classroom delivery, English for Newcastle successfully evolved into a library of ten self-study videos, ensuring learners could continue improving their English and understanding life in Newcastle independently.

Support included

• Practical ESOL classes focused on everyday life in Newcastle
• Community integration and settlement information
• Conversation and confidence-building activities
• Volunteer-supported learning
• Progression into formal ESOL courses
• Self-study online learning resources
• Signposting to local services and community organisations

Impact

• Supported over a 100 learners who attended community ESOL sessions.
• Recruited and supported 8 community volunteers, helping expand informal ESOL provision across Newcastle.
• 34 learners progressed into further ESOL courses with JET, Action Foundation, NEST and Newcastle College.
• 95% of participants reported feeling more confident communicating in English.
• 91% reported being better able to access public and voluntary sector services.
• Collected 115 learner feedback forms, helping shape and improve future delivery.
• Successfully adapted the programme during the COVID-19 pandemic by creating a permanent library of 10 online learning videos, allowing learners to continue studying independently.

Delivered as part of the Controlling Migration Fund (CMF) in partnership with Action Foundation and Newcastle City Council.

Legacy of the programme

Although the face-to-face project has now finished, the English for Newcastle video library remains available as a free resource for anyone wishing to improve their English while learning more about life in Newcastle.

Participants' Voices

"I like this class because I learn what I want. Thanks so much for everything."

"Speaking and listening was very good. Everything was fantastic. Thanks for everything, especially my teacher and the other assistants."

"The class helped me learn how to get along with my neighbours. The atmosphere is very beautiful."

Volunteers' Voices



"The PowerPoint materials are excellent and Lead is an excellent teacher, creating a fun, informal atmosphere in class."