Refreshed Work Experience Programme with Opportunity Guarantee for Young People - screening

Date published: 14 March 2022

Uptake levels of the existing Work Experience Programme (WEP) has been in decline over the past few years. We are also already seeing the impact the Covid-19 pandemic is having on our economy with a steep rise in claims to Universal Credit as a result of job losses. It is a widely held view amongst leading economists that this recession will impact on young workers and education leavers the hardest as there will be less opportunities available.

We aim to revitalise the WEP in its current form and increase participation levels amongst those who are not working, by introducing incentive payments for both participants and Employers offering WEP placements . We will also introduce a new strand of the Work Experience Programme for 18-24 year olds called Opportunity Guarantee. Placements under this strand will be linked to either a guaranteed job interview at the end of the placement or an Apprenticeship. These opportunities may also link with subsidised employment schemes (under development).

Details

Exisiting/Revised/New: Revised
Date of Screening: 14/03/2022
Screening Outcome - Full EQIA recommended: No

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