The Department for Communities Work Experience Programme provides employers with the opportunity to offer work experience which can provide a valuable contribution to the development of peoples’ employability skills and career aspirations.

Through the Work Experience Programme, employers can access a hidden pool of talent in the local labour market and can help to develop the supervisory skills of existing staff who can act as mentors.

Work Experience Placements

On the Work Experience Programme, employers may host a participant aged 18-65 for between 2 and 8 weeks. £250 is available to employers who provide a person with a placement. In addition, funding is available for certain costs incurred as a result of taking the placement on.

Opportunity Guarantee

Employers can also offer Opportunity Guarantee placements. This is a Work Experience placement for people aged 18-24 with the employer guaranteeing an interview for a job or apprenticeship at the end.

The placement is for 13 weeks and employers can receive up to £500. In addition, funding is available for certain costs incurred as a result of taking the placement on.

How to get involved

Employers can contact the Department for Communities to find out more about the Work Experience Programme.

Speak to an Employer Adviser in your local Jobs and Benefits office. https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/contacts/jobs-and-benefits-offices

Large or Public Sector employers should contact a Client Executive in the Strategic Employment Service at EmployerEngagementTeam@communities-ni.gov.uk for more information.

Before offering placements employers will be asked to sign an agreement setting out the terms and conditions of the Work Experience Programme.

For further information: www.nibusinessinfo.co.uk/wep