Regaining control: Why temporary work can be your gateway back to work

Take control of your return to work with flexible temp roles that build confidence, skills, and future opportunities.

Being out of work for any length of time can feel overwhelming, no matter the reason. Skills fade, confidence dips, and employers can often question long CV gaps. But here’s the good news: temporary work is one of the fastest ways to break that cycle. And contrary to what some may think or even feel, it’s not “settling” or “compromising”; in fact, this approach is about choosing control. Temping lets you:

Start earning quickly without a long-term commitment.
Rebuild your CV with fresh, relevant experience.
Explore different roles and sectors before deciding on a permanent path or new direction.

Think of temp work as your first step back into the job market, and a low-risk way to regain momentum and confidence.

The benefits of temp working

1. Control and flexibility

You decide when and where you work. Many temp roles offer shift-based schedules, so you can fit work around health appointments, care responsibilities, personal requirements or learning and development commitments.

2. Quick entry and immediate income

Unlike permanent jobs that can take weeks and even months of interview cycles before securing a role and a start date, temp roles start within days. That means money in your pocket sooner, easing financial stress.

3. Skills refresh and confidence boost

Temping helps you update your skills and show employers you’re active and adaptable. Even short assignments demonstrate reliability and teamwork, qualities employers value.

4. Try before you commit

Not sure if call centre, driving, engineering, warehousing, hospitality, cleaning or other options would suit you? Temping lets you test sectors and roles without locking you into a long contract.

5. Pathway to permanent work

Many employers use temp roles as a gateway to permanent jobs. Prove yourself, and you could be offered a full-time position – though there’s no pressure to accept if temping is working for you.

How to get into temp work

Step 1: Choose a sector or occupation type

There are a number of sectors that have a sustained high demand for temporary workers, including:

Logistics/Warehousing (pickers, packers, forklift, van and LGV drivers)
Engineering (mechanical and electrical service or maintenance engineers)
Facilities & Cleaning (office cleaners, facilities maintenance and management assistants)
Retail (retail assistants, sales associates, stock assistants)
Hospitality & Catering (kitchen porters, catering assistants, waiting staff, chefs)

Step 2: Register with agencies

Sign up with reputable recruitment agencies or online platforms. They’ll handle employment checks and match you to suitable roles. Perhaps more importantly, they’ll be able to help you navigate this return to work, identify what sector or job would work best for you, and manage your temporary placements on an ongoing basis. They also act as a core support network throughout your temping career.

Step 3: Prepare a simple CV

Focus on your transferable skills from your previous work history and your recent life experiences, such as reliability, teamwork, communication, organisation, punctuality, flexibility and motivation. Behaviour and motivational traits can be as important as work-based competencies. Add any certifications you have that are relevant for the role or sector you’re interested in (CSCS cards, manual handling, food hygiene, health and safety, to name just a few). Check out our CV writing tips guide.

Step 4: Ask your nearest Jobcentre about schemes to help you back into work

Examples include:

Restart Programme¹: providing tailored coaching for people in long-term unemployment.
SWAPs (Sector-Based Work Academy Programmes)²: which give you access to short training, work experience and a guaranteed interview afterwards.
Skills Bootcamps³: free, flexible courses (in a range of sectors including construction, HGV and care) with a guaranteed interview.

Step 5: Remove practical barriers

Transport: If commuting is a challenge, there are options including the Jobcentre Plus Travel Discount Card⁴ (which gives you up to 50% off rail/bus).
Childcare: Universal Credit⁵ covers up to 85% of childcare costs, which may help towards planning for your return to work.
Training costs: The Flexible Support Fund⁶ can help with essentials you need for employment, including work boots or short courses.

Making temping work for you

Know your rights:

Day one: You’re entitled to National Minimum Wage, holiday pay (pro-rata), rest breaks, and protection from discrimination. If anything feels unclear, check Acas for guidance.
After 12 weeks in the same role: You should receive equal pay and basic conditions as permanent staff under the Agency Workers Regulations. Full details at gov.uk.

Practical tips to stay in control:

Track your hours and pay

Keep your own timesheet notes (start/end times, breaks).
Compare your payslip against your records to ensure alignment.

Confirm pay and terms upfront

Ask for your hourly rate, holiday accrual, and payment schedule before starting.
Clarify if overtime or weekend shifts pay extra.

Ask for predictable shifts

Many agencies can offer fixed days or block bookings if you request them, which is especially useful if you have childcare or transport constraints.

Stay in touch with your recruiter

Build a good relationship with your agency contact. They’ll often prioritise reliable workers for better shifts or longer assignments.

Understand cancellation policies

Some temporary roles have short-notice cancellations. Ask what happens if a shift is cancelled; will you get partial pay or priority for the next booking?

Keep your CV updated as you go

Add each assignment to your CV. Even short-term roles show employers you’re active and adaptable.

Know who to contact for issues

If you have problems with pay or feel you have been treated poorly, start with your agency. If unresolved, Acas offers free advice and mediation.

Plan for travel and costs

Ask about travel reimbursement or Jobcentre Plus Travel Discount Cards if commuting is expensive.

Look for progression opportunities

Some temp roles lead to permanent jobs. Signal your interest early if permanent employment is your goal.

Growing your career as a temp worker

1. Consider short courses to boost your options

Examples include:

Skills Bootcamps (for construction, HGV, green skills sectors, and more).
Multiply⁷ for numeracy confidence (the training helps with budgeting and maths literacy).

2. Convert temp to perm

Use temp experience to apply for apprenticeships or full-time roles (if you want to that is).

3. Collect references and certifications

Every assignment is a chance to build your CV and earn industry certifications that boost your chances of getting the best assignments in the future (examples include CSCS, food hygiene and care certificates, though every sector is different).

Support & resources

Restart Programme: www.jobyay.co.uk
SWAPs: www.jobcentreplusoffices.co.uk/jobseekers/financial-support/swap-jobcentre-programme-2025
Skills Bootcamps: www.skillsforcareers.education.gov.uk/pages/training-choice/skills-bootcamp
Universal Credit childcare help: www.beststartinlife.gov.uk/
Transport discounts: www.moneyadvicehub.org.uk
Mental health support: www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/mental-health-services/ and www.mind.org.uk

Action plan to get you back into work

Pick a role or a sector you want to work in.
Register with 2 agencies who advertise a good selection of jobs by role or sector preference.
Update your CV with transferable skills.
Ask your Jobcentre Work Coach about Restart, SWAPs, or Bootcamps.
Arrange transport/childcare options support early.
Start your first temp shift and rebuild confidence.