Employer perceptions of work experience and sector-based work academies (RR 842)
This report contains findings from the quantitative survey with 3,000 employers offering work experience opportunities or taking part in sector-based work academies.
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Get Britain Working
Get Britain Working work experience was launched in January 2011. It gives young unemployed people the opportunity to be placed with local employers where they are able to gain work experience, improve their CVs and marketability to potential employers. Work experience also provides young unemployed people with a new potential route onto an Apprenticeship. Claimants aged 25 years and over can be referred at adviser discretion. Get Britain Working work experience ended on 31 March 2012. Work experience opportunities are now provided via the Youth Contract from 01 April and are available for 18 – 24 year olds only.
Sector-based work academies
Sector-based work academies were rolled out across England from August 2011 and Scotland from January 2012. The Welsh Government already offers a similar scheme called ‘Routeways to Work’ and this will continue to provide support to claimants in Wales in place of sector-based work academies. A sector-based work academy is designed to help employers fill vacancies more efficiently, whilst helping participants into jobs in a demand sector. Sector-based work academy placements usually up to six weeks. During this time, a claimant will receive pre-employment training, work experience with an employer in that sector, and a guaranteed interview for a job or an Apprenticeship. Where an employer is unable to guarantee an interview, for example due to ‘fair and open’ recruitment policies, the claimant may receive other support to help them through the employer’s application process.
Youth Contract Evaluation
This survey of Work Experience and sbwa employers forms part of the evaluation of the Youth Contract. The evaluation consists of a mixed methods approach including in-house analysis of administrative data as well as externally commissioned research involving interviews and surveys with staff, claimants, employers and Work Programme providers. The first two reports from the evaluation can be viewed here:
The Youth Contract: Findings from research with Jobcentre Plus staff in five case study districts
DWP will look closely at the findings from the research to inform continuous improvement activity for delivering the Youth Contract.