Work Preparation

What is Work Preparation all about?

Access Training deliver the government ‘Work Preparation’ programme which is designed to give people a route back into work after a long period of sickness or injury.

The course was first founded in 1945 to help injured and disabled servicemen and women return to work from the Second World War.

The remit of Work Preparation is to enable people that are out of work, due to a number of reasons, to assess the practicalities of returning to employment and to consider what practical or other aids would be required to do this.

Naturally, the easiest way to assess the practicalities is through a period of work experience with the support of an advisor. Work Preparation enables individuals to experience the kind of work suited to them, whilst building their confidence before they progress onto full employment.

Work Preparation through Access Training is a flexible programme and, dependant upon each client's specific needs, it usually lasts between 6 and 13 weeks. Participants are still entitled to existing benefits whilst on the programme and any expenses incurred whilst on the programme, including travel costs will be repaid.

Typically, a Job Centre Advisor will meet with the participant and together they will establish a set of realistic work orientated goals and will set out the practical hours that could be worked per day.

Participants and their Work Preparation advisors, will meet together with suitable  employers, who are enrolled on the scheme. If both parties are happy to proceed, health & safety assessments are carrier out and arrangements between the participant and the Work Preparation advisor are made with regards to visits. In many cases, the participant is employed by their work experience employer after the work experience has finished.

We are always looking for new work-placement opportunities for our clients. If you are an employer and would like to sign-up to the Work Preparation scheme, helping to get the unemployed back into work, please fill out your details on our online enquiries form.