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  • Breadcrumb

    1. Home
    2. Employment, training and careers
    3. Looking for work
    4. Extra help starting or staying in work

    Work Experience Programme

    If you're unemployed, the Work Experience Programme can help you develop your employability skills and gain the experience you need to get a job.

    Work experience placements

    The Work Experience Programme offers short work experience placements with local employers for people aged 16-65 years. 

    You can learn more about specific industries and job roles to help you make more informed choices about your future.  They can also help improve your confidence and motivation.

    Placements can last between two and eight weeks and will give you the chance to try out various tasks in a real work situation and develop skills needed to help you get a job.

    Opportunity Guarantee (for people aged 16-24)

    Opportunity Guarantee is a strand of the Work Experience Programme for young people aged 16-24. It builds on the Work Experience Programme with enhanced features:

    • work experience placements of thirteen weeks
    • a guaranteed interview for a job or apprenticeship when the placement ends

    When you are on a Work Experience or Opportunity Guarantee placement you will receive up to £50 per week (£10 per day) for taking part

    How to get on the Work Experience Programme

    To be eligible for the Work Experience Programme, you must:

    • be aged 16-17 and receiving Universal Credit

    or

    • be aged 18-65
    • be receiving Universal Credit or Jobseeker's Allowance, Employment and Support Allowance or Income Support and actively seeking employment
    • be actively seeking employment  if you're unemployed and not claiming benefits

    Taking part in the programme is voluntary and you'll continue to receive your benefit.

    Any eligible weekly travel costs and childcare costs will be reimbursed.

    If you receive Universal Credit, Jobseeker’s Allowance, Employment and Support Allowance or Income Support, contact a Work Coach or visit your local Jobs & Benefits office. 

    If you're eligible, they can help you identify suitable work experience opportunities that could improve your chances of getting a job.

    A work coach can also help you develop job-search skills and advise on CV building and interview techniques.

    If you are unemployed and not receiving benefits, contact the Work Experience Programme team within the Department for Communities on WorkExperience@communities-ni.gov.uk.

    If you would like a work experience placement and have a disability, or are having issues in a placement because of your disability, the Access to Work scheme can help.

    Employers and training providers may also advertise apprenticeships or work experience opportunities they may have available on JobApplyNI which lists all current vacancies throughout Jobs and Benefits offices in Northern Ireland. 

     

    Work Experience Programme video

    This video explains what Work Experience Programme is and how the programme can help if you are unemployed.  

    More useful links

    • Jobs and skills
    • Careers Service
    • Benefits and financial support

    For employers

    For information on how the Work Experience Programme could benefit your business visit:

    Work Experience Programme – employers

     

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    Extra help starting or staying in work

    • Adviser Discretion Fund (ADF)
    • Community Family Support Programme
    • Employment support for people with disabilities or health conditions
    • Help from your local Jobs and Benefits office
    • Helping you into work
    • Step Up – the person-centred skills project
    • Support if you're employed or looking for work
    • Training programmes available
    • Work Experience Programme
    • Work schemes for people with disabilities or health conditions

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