Providing work experience for job seekers

How it works

You offer someone the opportunity to spend up to 4 weeks in your business at no cost to you. Your responsibilities include normal workplace matters such as health and safety, supervision and providing any tools the person may need. You don’t have to pay wages, offer permanent work, pay  ACC levies or keep the person in your business if things don’t work out.

Chances are the person you host will be receiving income support, and will continue to receive it while they work with you. Many of those who participate in the programme have little or no workplace experience. So, even jobs you think are routine may be able to provide them with skills that are important for looking for permanent work.

Like anyone in a new environment, the person will need encouragement and support and regular feedback on how they’re doing. Clear directions and meaningful tasks will help them enjoy their time with you and develop their confidence.

How  Work and Income can help

Work and Income are there to help make the job of providing work experience a success.

They will:

• find out about your business and gain an understanding of the sort of person who would benefit from work experience with you
• work with you to determine what experience your business can offer someone
• introduce you to a suitable person and provide information on their skills and abilities
• stay in touch and check on the person’s progress regularly
• provide help if any problems arise.

You decide on the person you’d like to provide work experience for and do any background checks. Once you’ve found someone through us, Work and Income will sign an agreement with you.

Contact Work and Income

If you would like to offer work experience or find out more about the programme, either:

• call Employer Line: 0800 778 008
• contact Work and Income.