A plan for jobs

Whether constituents are business owners, self-employed or a job seeker, there is guidance and support available. Prospective employers can access support via a personalised questionnaire on this link: https://www.gov.uk/government/topical-events/plan-for-jobs

However, here is a summary of the main elements which you will find helpful:

• The Kickstart Scheme Fully funds 6-month work placements for young people. A £2 billion fund to create hundreds of thousands of high-quality 6-month work placements (new jobs) aimed at those aged 16-24 who are on Universal Credit and are deemed to be at risk of long-term unemployment. Young people will be referred to the scheme by their Job Centre Plus work coach. Funding available for each job will cover 100% of the relevant National Minimum Wage for 25 hours a week, plus the associated employer National Insurance contributions and employer minimum automatic enrolment contributions More detail at https://kickstart.campaign.gov.uk/.

• Incentive Payments Employers are being offered £2,000 for each new apprentice they hire aged under 25, and £1,500 for each newly recruited apprentice aged 25 and over. The incentive payment for hiring a new apprentice is different to the apprenticeship levy, and can be spent on anything to support the employer’s costs. For example, it could be spent on facilities, uniforms, the apprentice’s travel, or their salary. Note that this payment will increase from April to £3,000 per apprentice https://www.gov.uk/guidance/incentive-payments-for-hiring-a-new-apprentice.

• Traineeships An education and training programme with work experience for 16 to 24-year olds -or 25 year olds with an education, health and care plan (EHCP) - whose preference is to find a job or apprenticeship, but lack the skills, experience and behaviours sought by employers. Unlike an apprenticeship, a traineeship is a programme of learning and skills development; it is not a job. It can last from 6 weeks up to 1 year, though most traineeships last for less than 6 months. Employers will receive an incentive payment of £1,000 regardless of duration of the work placement. Payments will be made on completion of the work placement. An organisation can take on up to 10 traineeship placements, with the opportunity to increase if certain conditions are met. Individuals can move into an apprenticeship, self-employment, a job with the placement company or another, or have started on a further learning course at Level 2 or Level 3 (according to funding rules). https://www.gov.uk/guidance/traineeship-information-for-employers.

• T-Level Industry Placements These involve collaborating with educational institutions to provide 45-day placements. Some providers offer a financial incentive - https://www.tlevels.gov.uk/employers/business-benefits.

• SWAPS – Sector-based Work Academy Programme An opportunity to help jobseekers learn new skills and get experience of working in a particular industry, for example care or construction. SWAPs are linked to a genuine job vacancy and last up to six weeks. They consist of three parts: pre-employment training – a short module of vocational training run by a local college or training provider; work experience with an employer in the industry, where you can learn new skills on the job; at the end of the programme, either a job interview with an employer in the sector or if an interview cannot be offered, help with the application process. Participants will continue to receive benefits whilst taking part in a SWAP https://jobhelp.campaign.gov.uk/sector-based-work-academy-programme/

• JETS – Job Entry Targeted Support A light-touch employment programme, for people who have been out of work and claiming either Universal Credit or New Style Jobseeker’s Allowance for at least 13 weeks. Work coaches will provide specialist advice on how customers can move into growing sectors, advice on building their CV, and interview coaching. https://jobhelp.campaign.gov.uk/jets/

• JFS – Job Finding Support –Runs in parallel with existing support from work coaches to offer help with job searches and interview practice https://www.gov.uk/government/news/jfs-digital-job-surgeries-launched-to-help-160-000-jobseekers

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• 50 Plus Choices Support for jobseekers over 50 can include SWAPs, JETS, and bespoke advice from work coaches on how to make use of the resources available https://jobhelp.campaign.gov.uk/finding-work-at-50-plus/

• The National Careers Service Free to use and can help employers develop their own workforce and find skilled recruits - https://nationalcareers.service.gov.uk/.