FSB: Extending Work Trials could create 46,000 jobs
Extending Work Trials could create 46,000 jobs, says FSB
The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) is calling on the Government to extend Work Trials to help create an extra 46,000 jobs.
With around 1.64 million people having been out of work for up to one year and unemployment currently standing at 2.45 million, the FSB believes the Government needs to do more to get people back into employment. The FSB’s ‘Voice of Small Business’ survey panel shows that nearly a quarter (23%) of small firms think Work Trials would act as an incentive to taking on staff.
Work Trials are voluntary programmes that allow employers and employees to try a role before taking on a permanent position within the business. Currently, Work Trials are available to those who have been on Job Seekers Allowance for at least six months.
Ahead of employment statistics tomorrow (Wednesday 17 August), the FSB is calling on the Government to extend Work Trials by making them available from the first day someone claims Jobseekers Allowance. The FSB believes this could help to create an extra 46,000 jobs.
FSB research shows that small business confidence has dropped, and although small businesses want to employ, they lack the resources they need to take on a member of staff.
Work Trials are beneficial for both the employer and the employee as they offer key skills to help businesses move forward while at the same time ensure the person on the work trial is learning new skills. Research shows that nearly half of all jobs beginning with a Work Trial have led to a permanent job in that business.
John Walker, National Chairman, Federation of Small Businesses, said:
“Small businesses are more likely to hire people that have been in long-term unemployment, and Work Trials are a good way to get people back into work and learning skills, and for small businesses to move forward with taking on staff and growing. Small firms are willing to play their part in tackling unemployment but lack confidence in their business prospects, the economy and don’t have the resources to do so.
“Extending Work Trials could help to create an extra 46,000 much-needed jobs and help people get back into work at such a difficult time, so the FSB is urging the Government to extend this very straightforward scheme from the first day someone signs on. The Government simply must do more if it wants the private sector to pick up the slack from public sector cuts. This would be a good start in helping to tackle unemployment.”
Notes to Editors
The FSB is the UK's leading business organisation with more than 200,000 members. It exists to protect and promote the interests of the self-employed, and all those who run their own business. More information is available at www.fsb.org.uk
To view a copy of the paper ‘Pathways to employment: Immediate, effective solutions for delivering growth’, go to www.fsb.org.uk.
The survey is based on 1,772 responses from the May 2011 FSB ‘Voice of Small Business’ survey panel of FSB members which took place between 11 and 24 May 2011. For full results, go to www.fsb.org.uk/fsb-survey-panel.
4. In the May ‘Voice of Small Business’ survey panel, FSB members were asked what would most encourage them to take on a member of staff – 23 per cent said wider use of Work Trials. The FSB has more than of 200,000 members, so 23 per cent of 200,000 is 46,000 extra jobs. Therefore, should a similar interest in Work Trials be present throughout the full FSB membership this could potentially create 46,000 jobs among the FSB’s membership.
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Contacts
Andrew Cave, Chief Spokesperson: 07917 628991
Sophie Kummer: 020 7592 8128/ 07917 628998 sophie.kummer@fsb.org.uk
Prue Watson: 020 7592 8121 / 07825 125 695 prue.watson@fsb.org.uk
Sara Lee: 020 7592 8113/ 07595 067068 sara.lee@fsb.org.uk
For regional FSB contacts please go to www.fsb.org.uk/regions
