Introducing Hastings Works

To kick off Get a Life, HOT interviewed David Hinton – Managing Director of St Leonards Works. And in order to provide the best information, we discussed issues surrounding unemployment and how working with Hastings Works opens up endless working opportunities. Jessica Parker writes up the key interview points and provides a breakdown of how Hastings Works… well, works.

In order to get a real feel for Hastings Works, I dug deep into the heart of what it’s all about. And as an extension of the already popular Hastings Works, we can expect more individuals breaking free from the chains of unemployment at their new branch in St Leonards.

‘Hastings Works is the high street marketplace for employment and skills, bringing together local people, local employers and local organisations, providing skills and support’. – Hastings Works online.

As an organisation, they aim to make getting a job, career or even work experience an easy task in life. Or to make my life easier… they simply believe ‘that accessing high quality advice on employment should be as easy as buying a cup of coffee or a pair of shoes’.

And guess what, it’s free!

So far Hastings Works – and now St. Leonards Works – has been the unnoticed force to be reckoned with. And up until two weeks ago, I was completely unaware of them. But David managed to win me over and I intend to join an upcoming workshop later this month.

What differentiates Hastings Works from any other careers organisation around the area, is that they don’t simply hand you a take-it-or-leave it job. They make it their mission to provide you with the independent skill-set needed to control your own future.

At the moment, they offer one-to-one advisor support for anything from careers advice to financial help for entrepreneurs. Their most recent workshop has been the ‘Interview Lab’, launched to test out interview skills on each other, receive honest feedback and gain extra help for that perfect CV.

Below is a basic breakdown of the services provided. For more information, contact Hastings Works directly, visit or send HOT a message.

For career based support:

• CV and job application advice
• Interview advice and guidance
• Training and apprenticeships advice
• Advice to help and encourage start-up businesses.
• Desk space with free internet, printer and telephone facilities.
• And jobs board and job brokerage with local employers

Get a Life will now break down the key areas of support, so if you need extra help with any of the above, now is your chance to get it sorted. All advisor appointments are one-to-one sessions, confidential and promise you help. If for any reason your specific advisor cannot help, you will be quickly referred to someone who can.

CV, job application and interview advice:
Hastings and St Leonards Works offer everyday advisers for immediate advice, workshops to train and knowledge breakdown of both CV’s and job applications. As already mentioned, the ‘Interview Lab’ aims to not only improve interview skills, but suggests where you might be going wrong. A luxury in career advice.

Apprenticeships, work experience and training advice:
As an organisation goal, they ensure you find the correct form of apprenticeship, placement and training. If you have an idea in mind, it’s worth checking out. It could save you weeks in a dead-end placement. Just pop in and request an appointment with a careers or volunteers advisor.

Entrepreneurial and start-up business advice:
Advisors help to ensure you start up your business without a hitch. I’ve never seen such a luxury in careers advice; might be worth checking out. If you own a business or you’re thinking of starting one up, pop on down and speak to a business advisor. Better to be safe than sorry, especially with finance nowadays.

Hastings Works provides: free internet access for those all important job searches, phone access, computers, training rooms, a sub-let shop space and social environment. We’re all too aware internet costs rocket sky high, this way no one has to be at a disadvantage. Financial and IT support is also available.

Feeling a little like all this information has just been shoved down your throat? It can get quite heavy at times, especially when discussing such a subject. Getting the most out of life isn’t the easiest of tasks, nor is finding the right support. However, trust me, despite spending only forty minutes in the capable hands of David, it was immediately clear Hastings Works is both trusted and responsible. Their high standards only add to their level of professionalism – and with the majority of advisers already experienced, you’re definitely in safe hands.

By this point, I decided Hastings Works couldn’t get any more perfect. Of course, I was nicely mistaken. Turns out they offer work experience placements within the organisation to those in most need of gaining skills. It helps to give those individuals an outsiders’ perspective on the system. So when you head in and exchange pleasantries with that twenty something girl on the front desk, chances are she’s in the same boat as you.

Hastings Works now has a brand new building located in central St Leonards, St Leonards Works. For further information on St Leonards Works, pop in, phone or message HOT.

Hastings Works also offers recruitment and training solutions for businesses:

• Recruitment advertising
• Selection processes
• Pre-employment training
• Training and development advice
• And job design and succession planning

For those all important contact details:

Hastings Works
18 Robertson Street,
Hastings,
East Sussex,
TN34 1HL
01424 237237

St Leonards Works
14 Silchester Road,
St Leonards on Sea,
East Sussex,
TN38 0JB
01424 237235

Calling either number will direct you to front desk services. Simply request an appointment to meet an appropriate advisor or call for general queries. You may be asked details about your situation, but don’t let this put you off; you can be as vague as you want.

Hastings Works is currently open Monday to Friday, 9 to 5. St Leonards Works is open Monday to Friday, 10 to 4.

If you wish to use a contact form, use this link and fill out the appropriate form.

Don’t take my word for it. For general curiosity, just check out the Hastings Works website.

Both Hastings and St Leonards Works aim to respond within 24 hours of receiving your messages. In the mean time follow them on Facebook, Twitter, Google+, LinkedIn, or on YouTube.

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