Work Placement Experience Programme

What the Work Placement Experience Programme is

The Work Placement Experience Programme (WPEP) is a 6-month, 30 hour per week voluntary work experience programme. The programme is for jobseekers that are currently getting a qualifying social welfare payment and who have been unemployed for six months (156 days) or more.

The weekly rate of payment is €311.

See the qualifying list below.

If you would like to re-train and gain experience in another type of employment, this programme can help you build new skills and gain work experience. You cannot take a placement where you already have built up experience in the role.

You can work part-time while you are on the programme, provided the part-time work does not impact your placement. The part-time work cannot be with the WPEP host.

COVID-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment

If you are getting the COVID-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP) and you would like training and work experience in a new work role, the WPEP may be an option for you.

Time spent on PUP may be counted as part of the 6 month (156 day) qualifying criteria for WPEP, but you must transfer to one of the qualifying payments (see below) before you can take up a WPEP placement.

How to qualify

To qualify for the Work Placement Experience Programme, you must be a jobseeker:

aged between 18 and 65 years, and
on a qualifying scheme for at least 6 months (156 days), and
currently getting certain social welfare payments
 
The qualifying payments are:

Jobseeker's Allowance
Jobseeker's Benefit
Jobseeker's Transitional Payment
One-Parent Family Payment
Disability Allowance
Blind Pension
Farm Assist
Jobseeker's Benefit for the Self-Employed

Time spent on the schemes below may be counted as part of the 6 month (156 day) qualifying criteria. You must transfer to a Jobseekers' payment before you can take up the placement.

COVID-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment
Community Employment Programme
Back to Education Allowance
Youthreach
Springboard
Solas Training Programmes
TÚS - Community Work Placement Initiative
Rural Social Scheme

Jobseekers who are currently getting the COVID-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment must qualify and switch to a Jobseekers' payment before they start the programme.
 
The WPEP Guidelines provide information on participant eligibility or you can check with your local Intreo Centre Case Officer to see if you are entitled to take part in any scheme or placement.
 
Rate of payment
 
The weekly rate of payment is €311.

If you are entitled to additional benefits such as Fuel Allowance, Living Alone Increase or Telephone Support Allowance, you can get these in addition to the main WPEP payment.

Apply

You can apply for WPEP by registering on JobsIreland.ie.

Once registered, you can apply for WPEP vacancies advertised on JobsIreland.

JobsIreland
Website:www.jobsireland.ie
Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Employer Information 

Work Placement Experience Programme for employers.

Operational Guidelines

Case Study Video: Pathways to Work 2021 - 2025

For more information go to https://www.gov.ie/en/service/95fe1-work-placement-experience-programme/


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