This was a supporting detail page of the main policy document.
Jobcentre Plus managers have flexibility to offer the following measures to help claimants back to work in their area, based on claimant and local labour market characteristics. Not all measures will necessarily be available in all areas. Helping young unemployed people gain work experience The work experience programme helps young people gain the experience they need to get a job. Some young people have difficulty finding a job because they do not fully understand the world of work or have not had a chance to prove themselves. Jobcentre Plus works with employers to offer 18 to 24 year old jobseekers the opportunity to overcome these barriers, through work experience placements lasting 2 to 8 weeks available through the Youth Contract. In certain circumstances people over the age of 24 may be eligible for work experience. Young people on work experience will continue to receive their benefit and continue to look for permanent work. Jobcentre Plus will cover the costs of travel and childcare if required. Some participants can have their work experience extended by up to 4 weeks if an employer offers to take them onto an apprenticeship. Providing training, work experience and a guaranteed interview in sectors with high local vacancies Through sector-based work academies we offer pre-employment training, work placements and a guaranteed interview in sectors with high volumes of local vacancies for claimants of:
Jobseeker’s Allowance
Employment and Support Allowance (work-related activity group)
We have published guidance for employers about using sector-based work academies in England and Scotland to help fill their vacancies. Helping people develop skills and experience through mandatory work activity A Jobcentre Plus work coach may ask a claimant to take part in a mandatory work placement of up to 4 weeks. If they do not take part, they could lose their benefits for a period of time. The aim is to help the claimant develop the skills and behaviours employers are looking for and to help them get into the habit of attending work on time and every day. Read more about mandatory work activity. Helping people who want to start their own business We’ve introduced the New Enterprise Allowance to help unemployed people who want to start their own business. It can provide mentoring support and money to help people start their own business if they get certain benefits and have a business idea that could work. By May 2013, the scheme had resulted in:
around 2,000 new businesses being set up each month – more than 26,000 in total
over 6,000 businesses being started by people aged 50 or over
over 4,500 disabled people becoming their own boss
Encouraging people who want to become self-employed to share their experiences We support the setting up of Enterprise Clubs to provide unemployed people interested in becoming self-employed with a place to share experiences and get help from other people who want to become self-employed, as well as local business people and advisers. Encouraging people who are out of work to share skills and experience We support the setting up of local Work Clubs as a way of encouraging people who are out of work to share skills and experience. Promoting volunteering to improve employment prospects Through Work Together we are encouraging unemployed people to think about volunteering as a way of improving their employment prospects while they are looking for work. Jobcentre Plus offices offer space for the Prince’s Trust and local volunteer centres to provide advice on volunteering. Introducing flexibility for some people in full-time training to remain on Jobseeker’s Allowance We have introduced flexibility so that a claimant who has been on Jobseeker’s Allowance for 6 months or more may attend full-time training and remain on Jobseeker’s Allowance rather than moving onto a training allowance. This only applies to training of up to and including 30 hours a week and which lasts for a maximum of 8 weeks.