Guidance

Help to find work for Universal Credit claimants aged 16 to 24

Find out about the help for Universal Credit claimants aged 16 to 24 to find a job, work-related training or an apprenticeship though the Youth Offer.

Applies to England, Scotland and Wales

Many people on Universal Credit aged 16 to 24 can get extra help to find work through the DWP Youth Offer. Ask your work coach to see if you are eligible.

While you are on the Youth Offer, you will continue to receive Universal Credit in line with the agreements made in your Claimant Commitment.

The Youth Offer has 3 different types of support:

  • Youth Employment Programme
  • Youth Hubs
  • Youth Employability Coaches

You’ll agree the best option for you with your work coach at the start of your claim or later as your work coach gets to know you.

Youth Employment Programme

The aim of the Youth Employment Programme is to help prepare you for work, increase your chances of moving into a job and refer you to the most appropriate support. This could include:

The programme lasts for 13 weeks and you will be supported by your work coach at your jobcentre.

Scotland

Employability services in Scotland:

  • Young Person’s Guarantee in Scotland – work experience and apprenticeships for 16 to 24 year-olds in Scotland. This is part of the Scottish Government’s ‘No One Left Behind’ strategy

  • Skills Development Scotland – offers advice and supports career development from school into further learning opportunities and employment

Wales

Welsh Government employability and skills programmes:

  • The Young Person’s Guarantee Wales – education and training opportunities to help and support 16 to 24 year-olds get into work or self-employment. This brings together public, private and third sectors and the DWP to deliver the best offer possible

  • Jobs Growth Wales+ – training and development programmes for 16 to 19 year-olds in Wales

  • Communities for Work Plus, Working Wales – for people age 20 and over. This provides specialist employment advisory support to long-term unemployed or people with complex barriers, including low skills levels, health complications and work limiting conditions

  • ReAct Plus, Working Wales – a grant programme for those under threat of redundancy or who have been made redundant

Employment and Skills review

Following your Claimant Commitment meeting, you will have an Employment and Skills review with your work coach. At the review, you will:

  • get support to develop and improve your CV

  • get help to understand how virtual job searching and applications work

  • identify any work related training you need

  • identify if you need any support with your English, Maths or IT

  • see which work based opportunities are available to you over the course of the 13 weeks

  • establish any existing barriers that may prevent you from taking part in work-based opportunities

Work coach appointments

During your time on the Youth Employment Programme, you will have reviews with your work coach by phone, face to face or online for continued support and coaching.

You will get support to meet your individual needs and deal with any personal barriers to work you may have. Your work coach may refer you to other local support and local job opportunities, for example:

DWP Youth Hubs

Your work coach may refer you to extra support for up to 6 months from a Youth Hub work coach.

Youth Hubs are located with other organisations to provide access to more services in one location. They support you looking for work by helping you develop your skills and other activities such as writing a CV and interview skills.

Youth Hubs operate across England, Scotland and Wales in a range of settings, from city centres to rural and coastal areas, allowing the services provided to be targeted to local needs.

Some Youth Hubs offer a drop-in service for all young people who need support to find work, including those not claiming Universal Credit.

Contact your local jobcentre to find your nearest Youth Hub.

Youth Employability Coaches

Your work coach may refer you to a Youth Employability Coach if you have other barriers stopping you finding a job. They are based in jobcentres and provide support for up to 6 months to help you move into work.

They can also provide 6 weeks support while you are in work when you have started a job.

Travel and childcare costs

If you attend training or work experience, you may be able to claim travel and childcare costs. Speak with your work coach about this.

Help finding work online

The jobhelp website has information on looking for jobs, help with CV’s, applications and interview support. It includes links to some national recruitment exercises and information to help people aged under 25 find work.

In Scotland, My World of Work has information and support on jobs, careers, and training. It has a particular focus on youth training and employment.

In Wales, job search support and training can be found at  Job Websites.

Updates to this page

Published 8 January 2021
Last updated 28 March 2024 + show all updates
  1. Added information on Scottish and Welsh programmes for young people.

  2. Update to reflect that from 25 September certain young people will be invited to join the Youth Offer on a voluntary basis.

  3. From 1 December 2021 the help to find a job, work-related training or an apprenticeship though the 'Youth Offer' has been extended to Universal Credit claimants aged 16 and 17.

  4. First published.

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