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Steps to Work

Steps to Work

Steps to Work (StW) is a new and fresh approach to helping you find work. 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.

Latest News

  • The Department for Employment and Learning has enhanced Steps to Work to meet the needs of unemployed graduates with the introduction of the Graduate Acceleration Programme
  • A new initiative called 'Step Ahead’ started in October and is aimed at people receiving benefits who have been out of work for 30 months or more.

What Are The Benefits?

  • 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

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 in StW if you are claiming benefit or if you are not working and not claiming benefit.

The Steps

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

Step One

Step One offers anyone who is nearly ready for work:

Ongoing 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 jobsearch skills and `accredited' courses, that can help you find work.

Find out more about Step One

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.

Find out more about Step Two

Step Three

Step Three provides additional support and advice from your Adviser for up to 6 weeks  to help you find a job.

Find out more about Step Three

How can I get more information?

You can get more information on Steps to Work by contacting an Adviser in your local Jobs & Benefits office or Jobcentre or by ringing our freephone number 0800 353530.

Copies of the Steps to Work Information Leaflet can be downloaded

Information for Employers

If you are looking for staff or planning to fill future vacancies, help may be available with the cost of recruiting additional employees by using the Steps to Work Employer Subsidy. There are also opportunities to offer Steps to Work participants much needed work experience placements for up to 52 weeks.