Young JSA claimants in London are to be ushered into a range of work experience placements, in a pilot scheme announced employment minister Chris Grayling and London mayor Boris Johnson.


As reported by Recruiter.co.uk:
Under the scheme, young people who have not previously completed six months of paid employment must undertake the schemes, which involve 30 hours of work experience a week over a 13-week period, in a wide range of sectors including charities, social enterprises and voluntary organisations. On top of these 30 hours, they will be given 10 hours a week of “intensive” job search training, a Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) spokesperson added.
The placements will benefit local communities and give those struggling to find work and sense of direction and purpose, and those who refuse to take part risk losing their benefits.

Employment minister Chris Grayling said: “Many other countries don’t allow young people to claim any benefits at all until they have made contributions through a job. This trial will give a clear idea of the impact of an approach that says, effectively, you can’t get something back until you have put something in.”

Boris Johnson added: “Early intervention will reduce the risks of benefit dependency and increase the chances of long-term employment that is good for young people and good for the economic growth of this great city. As we continue to grapple with tough economic times there has never been a more pressing need to help young Londoners into work, which is exactly what this project is designed to achieve.”