The Government provide a range of different employment and training schemes to help people of all ages and backgrounds find work.

Some schemes are compulsory for those who are claiming Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA), whilst others are voluntary. Not only does the Government offer advice and financial support, it also aims to make access to work easier by improving the pathways from Jobseeker's Allowance to full-time employment.

The schemes are grouped by the Mandatory Work Activity Scheme and the Employment, Skills and Enterprise Scheme with the objective to provide help with moving from benefits to work.

A variety of schemes exist, from those that help people find employment to those that try to provide opportunities for people to build on experience through apprenticeships and work experience placements, including:

WORK EXPERIENCE - for young people on JSA who have not worked before and lasting Up to eight weeks.

TRAINEESHIPS - for young people to develop the skills they need to secure and succeed in employment, including apprenticeships. 

NEW ENTERPRISE ALLOWANCE - for any age on JSA to help you start a business.

SECTOR BASED WORK ACADEMY - for any age on JSA and lasting up to six weeks

WORK PROGRAMME - for anyone out of work for an extended period and lasting up to four weeks.

WORK TRIALS - for any age on JSA and lasting up to six weeks but normally two.

THE WORK AND HEALTH PROGRAM - the Government's current welfare-to-work programme aimed at people who are long-term unemployed or who have a disability or health condition. It replaced the Work Programme and Work Choice during late 2017/early 2018.

PROJECT SEARCH - a programme helping people with moderate and severe learning disabilities to secure and keep full-time paid permanent jobs.

SPECIALIST EMPLOYABILITY SUPPORT - intensive support and training to help you into work if you’re disabled.

COMMUNITY WORK FOR THE LONG TERM UNEMPLOYED - for any age on JSA for more than two years (in pilot areas, East Midlands and East of England) and lasting up to six months.

ACCESS TO WORK - UK government scheme that can offer you and your employer advice and support with extra costs if you are currently working, starting a job or self-employed and your health or disability (including dyslexia) affects the way you do your job. 

For an explanation of the differences between the various Government schemes can be found at themix.og.uk.

SEETEC are one of the UK’s largest and most experienced providers of Government funded Welfare to Work and skills training programmes. 

To get in touch with a SEETEC advisor follow this link.

Click here to find your nearesr SEETEC centre.