Back to Work: Employer Financial Incentives

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A decision made 8 December 2017:

Decision Reference: MD-S-2017-0079
Decision Summary Title :	Back to Work employer financial incentives		Date of Decision Summary:	8 December 2017
Decision Summary Author:	Back to Work Recruitment Manager		Decision Summary: Public or Exempt?	Public
Type of Report: Oral or Written?	Written		Person Giving Oral Report:	N/A
Written Report Title :	Back to Work employer financial incentives		Date of Written Report:	8 December 2017
Written Report Author:	Back to Work Recruitment Manager		Written Report : Public or Exempt?	Public
Subject: Back to Work employer financial incentives
Decision(s): The Minister approved continuation of the non-statutory Back to Work financial incentive schemes currently in place incorporating (but not limited to) the Employment Incentive, Learning & Development Internship, Community Jobs Fund and Industry Paid Training.
Reason(s) for Decision: This will provide financial support to employers in recruiting locally qualified jobseekers in target groups for 2018. The overall principles of all Back to Work financial incentives is to facilitate the employment of jobseekers who are the furthest from securing employment in the open market. The key elements of the financial incentives are summarised below: 1. Employers can only claim up to a maximum fixed amount per incentive paid in arrears upon evidence that the employee has been paid and has worked the required hours 2. Back to Work will provide 6 months in work support for both the employer and employee 3. Specific eligibility criteria, namely a period of long term unemployment or lack of industry experience/training, is in place for all incentives to ensure Back to Work continues to provide support to those who require the most help to get back into work Full details of each of the current schemes are included in the accompanying guidelines.
Resource Implications: Funding will be provided from the existing budget, in line with the Medium Term Financial Plan, held by the Social Security Department for the Back to Work Programme.
Action required: Operations Director to continue running the current financial incentive schemes and tailor support/initiatives, that meet the above criteria, as and when required.
Signature:		Position: Minister
Date Signed:		Date of Decision (If different from Date Signed):