Internship (work placement) and benefit entitlement

My Son has secured a placement with an IT services company which could well be the start of his new, chosen career path and get him back on his feet. The question is: Is he allowed to sign-on for JSA for the 6 month period?

He isnt a student so that rules a lot out I gather.

If not is there some sort of govt sponsored scheme that exists so he can feed himself and pay his rent at least?

No-one?

You'd be best to phone the jobcentre plus line.... 

I seem to remember from my days on the rock and roll that you can't work more than 16 hours a week, paid or unpaid - and claim JSA....

Thanks Adam, I did tell him JC and the 'person' he spoke to didnt have a clue. Seems unfair that as he's willing to work at this placement for 40+ hours a week to get as much out of it (knowledge, training & experience) as possible but he cant because of the 16 hours rule.....Seems daft to me!

Hi Kevin

Is the placement unpaid? there has been a lot of debate recently about the legitimacy of unpaid internships and whether they should be paid at nmw. Give me a call or drop me an email next week if you want any info on that.

http://www.direct.gov.uk/prod_consum_dg/groups/dg_digitalassets/@dg/@en/@benefits/documents/digitalasset/dg_199994.pdf

The link above takes you to useul guidance about JSA which he should be able to claim if the work is "voluntary" regardless of the number of hours he works. If however the work is really a job that someone would normally be paid for but he is doing it unpaid then they will not pay himJSA as I beleive the view is he should get NMW.

Hope that makes sense call me if want to talk it through.

Hi Sam, Thanks for responding (been a while I hope you are well by the way).

Yes it is unpaid and is legite as in the employer (known to me through work) is genuinly looking to train him up, not take advantage of the 'free' extra employee - At least I'd hope not. The plan is that my Son will end up with a CV that may put him in good stead for paid work if he hasnt made himself indespensible in 6 months time, which is the plan.

I believe he will have expenses paid but that's it! On this basis he'll struggle without my help or JSA! He has today arranged a meeting with the Job Centre next week so hopefully they can advise where he stands.

He needs to do this to sort his (crap) work history and CV out and put him on the right path to where his passion lies which is anything IT/Graphics. It's just a shame that without the quals or experience it has to be this way which is going to be very difficult. I'll let you know how it looks - When I get back from Cape Verde in a couple of weeks

Well i reckonif it is unpaid why does anyone need to know how many hours he is there - he can simply tell JC he is getting some experience / free training i think?

I think the point of the jsa is that you are actively seeking work which you won't be if you're doing something 40 hours a week...

but is this really 6 months full time unpaid work?? that sounds absurd

hello kevin,  hope things are well with you and yours.  I dont think your lad will get JSA  as hes not looking for a job!  I think the amount of hours he is potentially going to work for free  is very excessive, just my opinion.   

Me again!    would it be worth getting a part time job and perhaps do 3 days a week at the placement? My daughter has a part time job at waitrose and does very nicely out of it!! 

I don't know the position on benefits, but 6 months unpaid is tough. I know that many employers are taking advantage of younger people at the moment, and know of a number that have been strung along with the carrot for around a year. I know you mentioned that this is not the case here.

My view is that unpaid should be for a maximum of 2 weeks, or 4 weeks if there are good reasons, and then paid even if at a low rate initially. I know of certain people that run their business on the basis of the carrot - getting the benefits and then a new intern to take over rather than start paying. At most, agree to 3 months with a review at that point with the intention of introducing some form of payment. At least know employers intention and use second 3 month period to look elsewhere if unpaid but believe that benefit in staying.

 

Thanks all for the feedback and advise, much appreciated.

I have suggested the part-time approach but Ross is just keen to get the additional knowledge and experience under his belt to improve his chances of a decent job by the end of the year which may even be with this employer if all goes well.

For me better to take up this option which is genuine than to either sit on the dole for 6 months or take another dead end job which gets him nowhere! 

He will change his mind kev when hes got no money to spend!! how old is he?