DWP update as thousands of people given extra help | Personal Finance | Finance

Tens of thousands of jobseekers have been handed a fresh chance to get back into work through government training schemes that promise a guaranteed job interview – and, in many cases, a foot on the career ladder.

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has announced that over 86,000 people were given placements through Sector-Based Work Academy Programmes (SWAPs) last year.

The scheme is now expanding to offer 100,000 places this financial year.

Aimed at those on Universal Credit, Jobseeker’s Allowance or Employment and Support Allowance, the programmes provide short-term training, real workplace experience, and often lead to paid employment – all in sectors crying out for staff, such as hospitality and construction.

Work and Pensions Secretary, Liz Kendall, said: “SWAPs help people to stay in work for longer and boost their pay, while getting businesses loyal staff with the right skills.

“That’s why we are boosting the scheme even further next year, giving even more people access to these life-changing opportunities.”

The push is part of the government’s wider ‘Plan for Change’, a drive to get more people into work, improve living standards, and hit the ambitious 80% employment rate – all while tackling the twin challenges of worker shortages and benefit dependency.

The DWP says participants stay in their jobs for up to three months longer, earn up to £1,400 more, and save the taxpayer £350 per person compared to those who don’t take part.

Since its launch in April 2021, the scheme has delivered 370,560 placements across England and Scotland.

Among those who’ve benefited is Sophie, who used the scheme to land a job as a domestic assistant at Amey, a major infrastructure support firm.

“I really enjoyed the experience. I’ve worked in cleaning positions in the past, but this programme was unique and allowed me to see what working for Amey would feel like. I’m really proud of my work,” she said.

“Because of the great team here, I want to do a good job. When my sister told me she was looking for a job, I got her in touch with my Operations Manager and now she also works as a domestic assistant at another contract.”

The coming months will also see the launch of 26 new Hospitality SWAPs pilots, including in hard-hit coastal towns like Blackpool and Scarborough, where job opportunities have long lagged behind the rest of the country.

The government is also rolling out other measures to make work pay, including an increase in the National Living Wage and a raft of protections under the Employment Rights Bill.