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.
 
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”