Guidance

Sector-based work academy programme: learning provider guide

Published 3 January 2024

An introduction to sector-based work academy programmes 

Sector-based work academy programmes (SWAPs) are government-funded opportunities to help prepare those receiving unemployment benefits to apply for jobs in different areas of work. This Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) scheme is administered by Jobcentre Plus in partnership with employers and learning providers. 

SWAPs are designed to help employers recruit a workforce with the right skills to sustain and grow their business. SWAPs are available in England and Scotland. 

A sector-based work academy programme can last up to 6 weeks. Participants remain on benefits throughout. SWAPs have 3 components: 

• pre-employment training – matched to the needs of the employer’s business sector and delivered by adult skills learning providers 
• work experience placement – an opportunity for the recruiting employer to identify talent and for the individual to cement their knowledge and understanding of the required role
• a guaranteed job interview

An important feature of SWAPs is that each opportunity is built around one of more current job vacancies and has been tailored to meet the needs of the employer. 

Pre-employment training 

SWAPs are a partnership between Jobcentres, employers and training providers, who together agree the content of sector-specific training needed to fill job vacancies. 

A SWAP can last up to 6 weeks. This is enough time to deliver a short period of pre-employment training and work experience, which together prepare a candidate for employment. If a learner requires more in-depth training, a SWAP may not be the right training scheme to meet the employer’s needs. 

SWAPs are instigated by Jobcentres after an approach has been made by an employer looking to fill job vacancies. Training providers with good links to businesses can approach Jobcentres to discuss running SWAPs. 

It is important however to remember that SWAPs are a DWP scheme and must be developed by and run in partnership with Jobcentres. It is up to Jobcentres to decide whether a SWAP is appropriate, given that DWP may already be engaged with the employer to fill job vacancies. 

Work experience placement 

The SWAP work experience placement enables participants to develop their skills in a realistic working environment. The length of a SWAP work experience placement is determined at the initial discussion between the employer and Jobcentre Plus. The pre-employment training can be combined with the work experience placement if this is the best way to deliver the SWAP. 

The work experience placement is usually hosted by the employer looking to fill job vacancies, but can be with another employer in the same work sector. An example may be where a SWAP has been set up to fill multiple job vacancies for the same type of work but across more than one employer. 

Work experience would not normally be hosted by a training provider, unless the learning provider has a workplace setting able to replicate a day-to-day working environment. For example, a catering college may have a restaurant staffed by learners as part of their studies which is open to the public. 

The main principle to supporting participants during the work experience placement should be to treat them as regular employees as far as possible. This work experience must give claimants first-hand experience of what the job involves whilst providing an opportunity to show their skills and value to the recruiting employer. Participants may be supported further through additional coaching and supervision. 

Guaranteed job interview 

The SWAP guaranteed job interview provides participants with valuable interview experience and allows the employer to select the most appropriate candidate for the job. A SWAP can be used to fill multiple job vacancies, for example where a large employer is looking to fill a number of similar roles. 

SWAP participants should be offered a guaranteed job interview wherever possible. Many companies use specialist methods of recruitment, for example through online aptitude testing. If the employer’s usual recruitment process means they cannot commit to the guaranteed job interview, then the Jobcentre can consider making alternative arrangements to support participants through the recruitment process. 

SWAPs can also be used to fill apprenticeship vacancies. Employers may wish to consider whether an apprenticeship opportunity would be of benefit to their business. 

Using the apprenticeship service as a training provider (England) 

How learning providers can help deliver SWAPs 

SWAPs are government-funded schemes designed to help unemployed people on benefits to find work. SWAPs are administered by Jobcentres in partnership with employers and training providers. 

The SWAP training element is funded through the further education system – usually through the Adult Education Budget in England and No One Left Behind in Scotland. Separate funding streams exist for young learners aged 16-18. 

Training providers with good links to employers looking to fill job vacancies can approach Jobcentres to discuss working with DWP to develop SWAPs. Employer and partnership managers in Jobcentres will need to know the following: 

• Who the employer is
• What the job vacancies are

• What the proposed training is (modules to be covered etc.) 

• Confirmation that skills funding is in place to deliver the training for eligible DWP customers referred by the Jobcentre. 

To be labelled and promoted as a ‘SWAP’, the overall package of pre-employment training, work experience placement and guaranteed job interview is for DWP customers referred by Jobcentres only. 

Some skills funding bodies may have ‘payment by results’ policies for training attached to SWAPs. Jobcentres are not able to supply proof of employment outcomes to training providers. 

Where to get further information 

Training providers who are interested in working with DWP to develop SWAP opportunities can contact their local Jobcentre Plus Group Partnership Manager. 

National partnership team contacts for England, Scotland and Wales 

Sector-based work academy programme: employer guide