Not sure what kind of work you want? Most people aren't sure, and that's fine.
This page shows the main types of work in West London, and what a first job in each one is like. Every Jobs Guarantee job is real, paid work for six months, with support while you are in it. Each one helps you build skills that you keep, like speaking, teamwork and planning.
You may have some of these already, from home, sport or helping other people.
Have a look at one or two types of work below, and talk about them with your Employment & Progression Coach.
Jump straight to: Retail | Hospitality | Health and Social Care | Transport and Logistics | Early Years | Food and Drink Manufacturing | Creative, Media and Screen | Construction | Life Sciences
See a job you would like to try?
Look at the Employment Opportunities Catalogue. Write down the reference number of any job you like, and tell your Employment & Progression Coach at your next meeting.
Not sure about any of them? Tell your Employment & Progression Coach . They can help you work out what might suit you.
Questions you could ask your Employment & Progression Coach
What jobs are open in this type of work?
What would a normal day be like?
How would I get there?
What help would I get in the job?
A Jobs Guarantee job lasts six months. It is a first step. Your Employment & Progression Coach will help you plan what comes next.
Retail
Shops, in person and online
85,000 people work in retail in West London.
Westfield London in Shepherd's Bush is the largest shopping centre in Europe.
Skills this work builds
Speaking and listening.
You might be surprised…
People often think: “It's just a Saturday job on a till.”
In fact: Retail also needs people to choose and order the stock, design the displays, run the online shop and manage teams.
The work, and how to start
The work: Some people serve customers. Others order the stock, set up the displays, run the online shop or manage a team. A first job is usually on the shop floor or in the stock room, in a small team.
It could suit you if you like talking to people and keeping busy.
To start: You don't need experience or qualifications. You learn in the job.
Where: In every borough. Local high streets, and big centres like Westfield, Brent Cross, London Designer Outlet in Wembley and St Ann's in Harrow.
Where it could lead
If you stay in this type of work: There is more than one way to go. Some people go on to become a supervisor or a store manager. Others find a part of the work they enjoy, such as choosing stock or planning displays, and move towards that.
You take these skills with you to any job: talking to people you don't know, and understanding what they need.
Watch a short video | Find out more: West London Retail Skills Hub | See the Employment Opportunities Catalogue
Hospitality
Hotels, restaurants, cafes and events
75,000 people work in hospitality in West London, and the number is growing.
Skills this work builds
Teamwork and Adapting
You might be surprised…
People often think: “It's a job you do for a while, not a career.”
In fact: Many people build a long career in the hospitality industry. Lots of managers, head chefs and event planners started in a first job and moved up.
The work, and how to start
The work: Some people cook. Others serve, look after hotel guests or plan events. A first job is usually serving food and drink, or helping in the kitchen.
It could suit you if you like being around people and you like to keep moving.
To start: You don't need experience or qualifications. Shifts can include evenings and weekends, so ask about the hours.
Where: In every borough. There are a lot of jobs around Wembley and Heathrow.
Where it could lead
If you stay in this type of work: Some people go on to lead a team or manage a venue. In a kitchen, some go on to become chefs. Others try different parts of the work, such as events, until they find what suits them.
You take these skills with you to any job: working with others when it is busy, and staying calm when things change.
Watch a short video | Find out more: West London Retail Skills Hub | See the Employment Opportunities Catalogue
Health and Social Care
Looking after people's health and daily lives
1 in 8 jobs in West London is in health and social care. It is the biggest type of work here.
Skills this work builds
Listening and adapting.
You might be surprised…
People often think: “It's only caring for older people.”
In fact: Care workers also support younger adults with a disability, and people getting better after being ill.
People often think: “You need to be a doctor or a nurse.”
In fact: Many jobs need no qualifications to start, and you can train while you work.
The work, and how to start
The work: A first job is usually helping someone with their day, at their home or in a care home. Other people work in offices or on reception.
It could suit you if you are empathetic, which means you understand how other people feel, and you enjoy helping them.
To start: You don't need qualifications. The employer will do a background check, called a DBS. If you have a criminal record, it does not always stop you. You can talk this through with your Employment & Progression Coach.
Where: In every borough, often close to home.
Where it could lead
If you stay in this type of work: Some people become a senior care worker, and some go on to run a care service. Others decide to train for a health job, such as a nursing associate or a nurse. You can go at your own pace.
You take these skills with you to any job: listening carefully
to people, and finding a new way when the first one does not work.
Watch a short video | See the Employment Opportunities Catalogue
Transport and Logistics
Moving people and goods
76,000 people work at Heathrow.
About 1 in 10 jobs in West London is in transport and logistics.
Skills this work builds
Planning and problem solving.
You might be surprised…
People often think: “It's just driving vans and working in warehouses.”
In fact: People also plan the routes, track deliveries on screens, fix the vehicles and run the teams.
People often think: “It's only for men.”
In fact: This work is for everyone. Women work across transport and logistics, and the West London hub runs a Women in Logistics event.
The work, and how to start
The work: Some people pick and pack orders. Others plan the routes, track deliveries, fix the vehicles or run the teams. A first job is usually in a warehouse team, or helping in the planning office.
It could suit you if you like being organised, solving problems or working in a team.
To start: Most first jobs need no experience. Driving jobs need a licence. Jobs inside the airport need extra security checks, which take a few weeks.
Where: Mostly near Heathrow, in Hounslow and Hillingdon, and in Park Royal. Ask your Employment & Progression Coach how you would get there.
Where it could lead
If you stay in this type of work: There are lots of directions to choose from. Some people go on to lead a team or manage a shift. Others move into planning, or train to drive larger vehicles.
You take these skills with you to any job: organising your time and your tasks, and working out how to fix things.
Watch a short video | Find out more: Logistics Skills + Careers Hub | See the Employment Opportunities Catalogue
Early Years
Nurseries and childcare
7 in 10 nurseries in one survey said they need more staff. Good people are wanted.
Skills this work builds
Creativity and Speaking.
You might be surprised…
People often think: “It's just babysitting.”
In fact: Nursery staff help children learn to talk, play and get ready for school. It is skilled work, with qualifications.
People often think: “It's only for women.”
In fact: This work is for everyone. Men work in nurseries too, and nurseries want more of them.
The work, and how to start
The work: A first job is helping trained staff look after young children: play, meals and keeping them safe. You can train while you work.
It could suit you if you are patient and you enjoy being with children.
To start: The employer will do a background check, called a DBS. If you have a criminal record, it does not always stop you. You can talk this through with your Employment & Progression Coach.
Where: In every borough, often close to home.
Where it could lead
If you stay in this type of work: You could get a childcare qualification while you work. In time, some people lead a room or manage a nursery. Others stay working directly with the children, because that is the part they enjoy most.
You take these skills with you to any job: coming up with ideas, and explaining things clearly.
Watch a short video | See the Employment Opportunities Catalogue
Food and Drink Manufacturing
Making the food and drink sold in shops
Over 30% of all the food eaten in London is made or prepared in Park Royal.
Skills this work builds
Teamwork and problem solving.
You might be surprised…
People often think: “It's just standing on a production line all day.”
In fact: There are also bakers, engineers who fix the machines, people who test the quality and people who create new products.
The work, and how to start
The work: Some people work on the production line or pack the food. Others bake, test the quality, fix the machines or create new products. A first job is usually on the line or in packing.
It could suit you if you like practical work and getting things right.
To start: You don't need experience. You get food safety training when you start. Some jobs start early or work in shifts, so ask about the hours.
Where: Mostly Park Royal, in Ealing and Brent.
Where it could lead
If you stay in this type of work: Some people go on to lead a team or manage production. Others find they like the machines or the quality checks, and could train as an engineer or a quality technician.
You take these skills with you to any job: working with others to get a job done on time, and noticing small details and putting things right.
Watch a short video | Find out more: Food and Drink Innovation and Skills Hub | See the Employment Opportunities Catalogue
Creative, Media and Screen
Film, TV, music, games and online content
Ealing Studios has been making films since 1902. It is the oldest working film studio in the world.
Skills this work builds
Creativity and Adapting.
You might be surprised
People often think: “You have to be on camera, or be an artist.”
In fact: Most of the jobs are behind the scenes: sound, editing, building sets, planning and marketing.
The work, and how to start
The work: Some people film, record sound or edit. Others build sets, plan the schedule or run social media. A first job is usually helping a team with whatever is needed, or making content for social media.
It could suit you if you like making things and you are happy to help with different tasks.
To start: You don't need qualifications. It helps to show something you have made, even on your phone.
Where: All over London. In West London, a lot of the work is around White City, Osterley, Ealing and Park Royal.
Where it could lead
If you stay in this type of work: There is no single path. Many people start as an assistant, then find a skill they enjoy, like editing, sound or production, and build on it. Many people in this type of work are freelance, which means they move from one project to the next.
You take these skills with you to any job: coming up with ideas and trying them out, and changing plans quickly.
Watch a short video | See the Employment Opportunities Catalogue
Construction
Building homes, roads and railways
250,000 passengers a day are expected at Old Oak Common, being built for HS2. It will be the largest new railway station ever built in the UK.
Skills this work builds
Teamwork and planning.
You might be surprised…
People often think: “It's all outdoors and heavy lifting.”
In fact: Lots of the jobs are indoors or on machines: planning the work, checking safety, ordering materials, design.
People often think: “It's only for men.”
In fact: This work is for everyone. Women work in every part of construction, and employers want more to join.
The work, and how to start
The work: Some people work in a trade, like carpentry or plumbing. Others drive machines, plan the work, check safety or work in the site office. A first job is usually helping on site, or helping in the office with orders and paperwork.
It could suit you if you like practical work and seeing what you have made.
To start: To work on a building site you need a CSCS card. It shows you know how to stay safe on site. To get one, you do a one-day health and safety course, then a short multiple-choice test that takes about 45 minutes. Ask your Employment & Progression Coach where you can do it and what help there is with the cost. Office jobs don't need a card.
Where: Sites move, so ask where you would be based. Work often starts early in the morning.
Where it could lead
If you stay in this type of work: You could learn a trade through an apprenticeship (a job with training). In time, some people become supervisors or site managers. Others move into planning, safety or design.
You take these skills with you to any job: working safely with other people, and planning a job step by step.
Watch a short video | See the Employment Opportunities Catalogue
Life Sciences
Making medicines and health technology
13,000 science and technology jobs have been created around White City since 2017.
Skills this work builds
Planning and problem solving.
You might be surprised…
People often think: “You need a university degree.”
In fact: Some jobs do. But people also start as technicians through an apprenticeship (a job with training) or a college course.
The work, and how to start
The work: Scientists are only part of it. Other people support the labs, check quality, look after equipment or work in the office. This is a smaller type of work in West London, so ask your Employment & Progression Coach what is available.
It could suit you if you are careful, you like science and you like getting details right.
To start: You don't need a degree or work experience to start as a trainee lab technician. Employers usually ask for GCSEs in English, maths and science. Support and office jobs in science companies may not need science qualifications at all. Ask your work coach what is open.
Where: White City and North Acton.
Where it could lead
If you stay in this type of work: Some people start as a trainee technician and keep learning while they work. In time, some become senior technicians, or choose one kind of lab work to get really good at. Others study part-time for higher qualifications, sometimes through an apprenticeship (a job with training).
You take these skills with you to any job: following steps carefully, and working out why something happened.
Watch a short video | See the Employment Opportunities Catalogue