During the pandemic the government decided to introduce and strengthen many back to work schemes. The scheme aims to assist those that have lost their jobs due to the pandemic, as well as the long term unemployed. Below are the government funded schemes we found useful – we go into more detail in our recorded webinar from April 2021 (you can find the link to the webinar here).
The Job Entry Target Support: JETS
The Job Entry Targeted Support offers tailored and flexible support to participants to make sure they quickly get back into employment.
Eligibility:
- Supports those that are currently on universal credit and benefits and have been claiming for at least 12 weeks.
- Be of working age (18 in England, 16 in Wales)
- Not be on other government funded programmes.
- More details here.
What support can I expect?
- Specialist advice.
- CV advice
- Tailored Interview support
- Financial support for things such as travel clothes, interview clothing, health assessments and training etc.
- Access to health and wellbeing support, as well as an Online Health Check.
Who offers these services and where?
- Reed in Partnership offers these services in North East England and South London on behalf of the Department for Work and Pensions/South London Partnership.
- Other providers that offer these services in other areas can be found by contacting your local jobcentre.
How is it funded?
- Delivery is co-funded by the European Social Fund.
To learn more about Reed in Partnerships’ JETS offering, visit their website here.
Better Working Futures
The Better Working Futures programme is designed to support participants into lasting sustainable work. They offer a bespoke, participant-led service that tailors the level and direction of support according to the needs of the individual.
Eligibility?
- Better Working Future works with the long-term unemployed or those with barriers to getting back into work. Those might be health conditions or disabilities, care givers, ex-offenders, or the ex-military.
- You can join the scheme through referrals from local JobCentre Plus offices.
What support can I expect?
- Employability skills, such as CV support and interview practice.
- Soft skills training, such as building confidence, resilience, and interpersonal development.
- Health and wellbeing advice on a one-to-one basis or through workshops. Where this is not possible, you will be signposted towards suitable provisions (funding external courses where required).
- Financial support, such as with travel costs, interview clothing or uniform where required.
- Access to a dedicated Recruitment Officer, contacting local employers to source vacancies on your behalf.
- A team member to support participants with their transition into work and to advocate on their behalf.
Who offers these services and where?
- Reed in Partnership offers these services in North East England and South London on behalf of the Department for Work and Pensions/South London Partnership.
- Other providers that offer these services in other areas can be found by contacting your local jobcentre.
How is it funded?
- Delivery is co-funded by the European Social Fund.
To learn more about Reed in Partnerships’ Better Working Future offering, visit their website here.
Work Routes
The Work Routes programme gives you all the support you need to succeed in landing your perfect job. It offers an opportunity to receive guided, personal action plans to help in your work ambitions.
Eligibility:
- If you are out of work, then you are eligible! Even if you simply lack the confidence or skills to look for work again, Work Routes could help.
What support can I expect?
- One to one expert adviser guidance
- High quality skills training
- Access to exclusive job vacancies (through the provider)
- CV help and interview preparation
- Financial support (with travel and work clothes)
- Health/wellbeing support.
Who offers these services and where?
- Reed in Partnership in Greater Cambridgeshire and Greater Peterborough, Cornwall, Hertfordshire and the Marches.
- Outside of these areas, your local Jobcentre will be able to assist you in finding other providers in your area.
How is it funded?
- Delivery is co-funded by the European Social Fund.
To learn more about Reed in Partnerships’ Work Routes offering, visit their website here.
On the 30th April 2021 (Employment Day 2021), The Employment Related Services Association will be launching a new website, askseth.org. Here you will be able to find all of the providers of the government schemes in one location, with the ability to search by location or programme.
