Employment support
B&D Works is the Council’s free service to help Barking & Dagenham residents get a job, improve skills and widen job and career options, offering support online or in-person at our two community Job Shops.
What we offer
- Help with CVs, job applications and interview techniques
- Training to improve your chances of landing your dream job
- Exclusive access to suitable job opportunities across a wide range of sectors – including a dedicated construction programme
- Dedicated employment coaches
- Advice about benefits, childcare and other issues affecting your household
- A specialist team supporting people with disabilities or health conditions – scroll down for more information about the support available.
Register online or in person
Register your interest online and one of our team will get back to you to discuss your next steps.
Alternatively, you can register your interest in-person by visiting one of our two community Job Shops. Open Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm.
If you are referring on behalf of someone (you are a parent, another council service or a support organisation, etc…) use this form:
About your visit
Barking Job Shop
Ground Floor, Barking Learning Centre, 2 Town Square, Barking IG11 7NB
Telephone: 020 8724 8870
Dagenham Job Shop
First Floor, Dagenham Library, 1 Church Elm Lane, Dagenham RM10 9QS
Telephone: 020 8724 8877
To register with us you will be asked to provide:
- a UK birth certificate, passport or visa with 6 months remaining
- a recent utility bill (dated within 3 months);
- something showing your National Insurance (NI) number.
Let our team know if you do not have any of these documents.
Please note that to access our employment support services you must:
- Be over 16 years old
- Have the right to work in the UK
- Be living within Barking and Dagenham (unless placed in temporary accommodation outside of the borough by the Council)
- Be studying less than 16 hours a week
- Have recourse to public funds (unless you have a refugee or asylum status)
Specialist support
We have a specialist team supporting people with disabilities and mental or physical health conditions.
The team can support you to identify and access new jobs and careers that meet your needs. They also work with employers to create more flexible and supported employment and internship opportunities, including a dedicated programme for adults with learning disabilities and autism.
Register with B&D Works using the online registration form button to access this support.
Read more about the borough’s Local Offer to help young people with special educational needs and disabilities to prepare for and find employment.
What people say
Read about jobs and opportunities at the Council:
You can find information about the training courses we provide to support you to access different roles and sectors on the B&D Learns page under ‘Job-related training’.
Find useful tips on getting a job.
"The [B&D Works] Job Shop has had nothing less than a positive impact upon my life situation. I would recommend the Job Shop to anyone seeking employment in the borough and would like to thank them whole heartedly for all of their kind help and ongoing support. Thank you all so much!"
Andre