Employment minister Chris Grayling unveiled the initiative at a work experience programme run by construction company Skansa in East London. Jobcentre Plus will match young people aged between 18 and 21 with employers looking for people to do work experience.
Grayling said: "Our new work experience scheme will give young people the chance to get valuable experience in a business for up to two months, which will make a real difference to their confidence, their employability and their prospects."
Under the old system people were only allowed to do two weeks experience before potentially losing their benefits. The new scheme enables young people to get a proper stint in business, providing better value to both themselves and the employer, said Grayling.
Companies including Homebase, Hilton Hotels, McDonald’s, ISS Facilities Management, Coyle Personnel and Punch Taverns support work experience.
Work experience is just one of the measures in the Government’s Get Britain Working package. This also includes the roll out of work clubs across the country and the delivery of the New Enterprise Allowance, which will support the formation of up to 40,000 new businesses over the next two years.
In the summer the Government will bring in the Work Programme, providing tailor-made support for all those trapped on benefits to start making the journey back to work.