Jobcentre Plus helps people move from benefits into work and helps employers fill vacancies. It also deals with benefits for people who are unemployed or unable to work because of a health condition or disability.
Jobcentre Plus can to help you prepare for, find and stay in work, including:
• Training, guidance and work placement programmes
• Work experience, volunteering and job trialling schemes
• Help with starting your own business
• Help combining work with looking after children or caring responsibilities
• Extra help for specific problems
Extra Help to Find a Job
We know that it can be difficult to find companies who will give you a break – and that’s where the Youth Contract comes in.
If you’re 18 to 24 you can get extra help under the Youth Contract, including voluntary work placements, access to training opportunities apprenticeships and careers guidance.
Gaining Work Experience
Work experience is a great way of learning business skills by spending time in a real workplace. Placements last for between two and eight weeks.
Starting Your Own Business
New Enterprise Allowance can provide money and support to help you start your own business if you’re getting certain benefits and you can show that you have a business idea that could work.
You’ll be given a business mentor, who will provide advice and support on:
• Becoming self-employed
• Setting up your business and starting to trade
Once you’ve made a business plan and it’s been approved, you can get:
• A weekly allowance paid over 26 weeks (up to a total of £1,274)
• A loan to help with start-up costs
Access to Work
Access to Work can provide practical and financial support if you have a disability, health or mental health condition so you can:
• Start working
• Stay in work
• Start your own business
To find out more about Jobcentre Plus and the services Jobcentre Plus provides go to www.Gov.uk