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Steps to Work

STEPS TO WORK

 

What is Steps to Work?

 

Steps to Work is a fresh approach to helping you find work. It is designed to help people who are unemployed to secure employment by learning new skills and improving your work experience.  It offers a flexible menu of work related activities that can be tailored to suit your employment needs.  When taking part in Steps to Work you will be allocated an Adviser who will provide support and guidance to help you decide which opportunities best suit you.

 

 

Who is eligible?

 

Anyone over 18 years old (or lone parents aged 16 years old or over) who is not working (or working less than 16 hours each week).

 

You will be able to participate on Steps to Work if you are claiming benefit or if you are not working and not claiming benefit.  We are contracted to serve clients who are living in the North Down and Ards area.

 

What are the benefits of Steps to Work?

 

  • Personalised advice and guidance to help you make the right choices
  • Help to find and remain in work
  • You can re-train while remaining on benefit plus receive a weekly Training Bonus
  • Opportunity to gain recognised qualifications
  • Opportunity to improve existing skills
  • Opportunities for work experience

 

 

How is Steps to Work Delivered?


Steps to Work is delivered in a ‘3 step’ process.

 

Step One

Step One offers anyone who is nearly ready for work:

 

On-going one-to-one support and guidance from an Adviser aimed at helping you to find work as soon as possible. 

 

A range of short courses that can help you develop your confidence and motivation, improve your job search skills and `accredited' courses, which can help you find work.

 

Step Two

Step Two offers a wider range of longer term support if you need more help to find work. Your Adviser can put together a package of support to best meet your training and work experience needs and the needs of employers.

 

Step Two can last from 3 weeks to 52 weeks depending on what you are doing. While you are on Step Two you will receive £15.38 per week in addition to any other benefits which you are entitled to.

 

Step Three

Step Three provides additional support and advice from your Adviser for up to 6 weeks to help you find a job.  This Step can include access to Short Accredited courses if not already accessed on Step One.

 

 

How do I find out more information about Steps to Work at SERC?

 

If you would like to find out more about the programme or would like to partner with the College in the delivery of the programme please contact Elaine or Ruth on 028 9127 6828 for further information.

 

 

 

An Employers Guide

 

If your organisation could benefit from more staff but you can’t afford the cost Steps to Work may be the answer!

 

The recession has resulted in a large number of redundancies in the North Down and Ards area and many people with a wide range of skills and abilities now find themselves out of work.

 

Steps to Work is a programme to help the unemployed and economically inactive secure employment.

 

As an employer you can benefit by partnering with SERC to provide valuable work experience placements for participants on the Steps to Work programme.

 

Benefits to your Organisation include:

 

  • An additional member of staff for a period of work placement ranging from 13 to 52 weeks.
  • No cost to your company as the participant retains their benefits plus a small top-up allowance.
  • Accredited training provided for the participant by the College will be free of charge.
  • Regular support from experienced College staff.

  

What is required of you? 

 

All employers must hold current Employer and Public Liability Insurance.

 

Participants require an induction at the start of the placement including Health & Safety procedures etc.

 

A nominated person within your organisation to train the participant as required. Allow College staff to visit the participant on a regular basis and provide information on participant progress.

What is your commitment at the end of the programme?

 

You are under no obligation to employ the participant, however, it is hoped that by the end of the programme the participant will have proved themselves to be a valuable asset to your company.

 

Should you wish to employ them you can receive a grant towards their wages for the first 26 weeks of their employment.  Not only will your company save on the cost of the wages but also on recruitment and advertising costs!