New Deal 25+ elements

The main elements of New Deal 25+ are:

Gateway

This lasts for a maximum of 16 weeks. However, this can be extended by up to 4 weeks for participants with barriers to employment. A New Deal Personal Adviser works closely with participants providing advice and guidance to enable them to find a path out of unemployment. Participants can avail of a short accredited training course during the Gateway period.

Participants may also attend Core Gateway. This is a period of training and development lasting up to 10 days which provides participants with the skills required to find a job. It is designed to:

increase the prospects of moving into a job quickly
identify special needs or essential skills needs
facilitate referral to appropriate provision
equip participants with “soft skills”
prepare participants to choose and benefit from employment or a New Deal opportunity

Employer Subsidy

A full or part-time job with an employer. The employer receives a subsidy of up to £75 per week for a full-time job and £50 per week for a part-time job for the first 26 weeks of employment. The employee receives the normal wage for the job.

Self Employment Test Trading (SETT)

There are also opportunities for participants to experience the realities and responsibilities of self employment, by trying out a business idea for up to 26 weeks (self-employment test-trading) with ongoing support and training from a self employment provider. During the test-trading period participants receive a training allowance equivalent to their former rate and a top up payment of £15.38 per week.

Essential Skills Training (EST)

Participants identified as requiring intensive help with essential skills and assessed accordingly by a qualified essential skills tutor during Core Gateway will be able to avail of Essential Skills Training (EST) for up to 26 weeks. Those participants who do not find employment during or at the end of their period on EST may progress on to a further period lasting up to 26 weeks on either the mainstream Preparation for Employment Programme (PEP) or the Education and Training Opportunities (ETO) element of New Deal.

Education and Training Opportunities (ETO)

This offers the opportunity to undertake a first full NVQ Level 2 (52 wks) from a core list of occupational areas, or obtain a minimum of 3 units of an NVQ Level 2 or 3 (26 wks) resulting in the achievement of a full NVQ or alternatively a Vocationally Related Qualification (VRQ) (26 wks). You will also have a work experience placement with ab employer, usually 4 days per week.

Preparation for Employment Programme (PEP)

This provides participants with a job or work placement lasting up to 13 weeks which will include intensive job search. Participants will have the opportunity to pursue a short accredited vocationally related qualification which appears on the National Qualifications Framework. While on PEP participants will receive a Benefit-Based Training Allowance and a top up payment of £15.38 per week.

Follow-Through

For those participants who are still unemployed at the end of the Option period there will be Follow-Through support from New Deal Personal Advisers to ensure that participants are helped to build on their experience and improve their prospects of moving into employment. Follow-Through will last for 6 weeks during which participants will attend weekly interviews with the New Deal Personal Adviser. Participants can avail of a short accredited training course during the Follow-Through period if not availed of during Gateway participation. For more information contact your local Jobs & Benefits office / JobCentre and ask to speak to a New Deal Personal Adviser.