Employment Zones

Employment Zones is a Jobcentre Plus programme offering long-term unemployed people help to get back to work.

Employment Zones

Employment Zones is a programme offering practical support to Jobseeker’s Allowance customers, lone parents and people getting Pension Credit.

Employment Zones are run in the following areas:

• Brent and Haringey
• Glasgow
• Liverpool and Sefton
• Tower Hamlets and Newham

In other areas, Jobcentre Plus has New Deal programmes that offer further support.

New Deal

Employment Zones for Jobseekers Allowance customers

Employment Zones is a three-stage programme offering you practical support to get back to work. You must take part in Employment Zones if:

• you’re 25 or over, and have been getting Jobseeker's Allowance for 18 of the last 21 months
• you’re aged 18 to 24 and have been getting Jobseeker's Allowance for six months (and you’ve previously taken part in New Deal for young people)
• you’ve taken part in Employment Zones in the last 12 months but didn’t complete the programme

You may apply to join Employment Zones earlier if your circumstances make it particularly difficult for you to find work.

Three stages of Employment Zones

There are three stages to an Employment Zones programme.

Stage one

You must take part in stage one, which lasts up to 28 days. Your Employment Zone personal adviser will help you to decide on the kind of work you’re looking for and understand what may be preventing you from getting that work. Together you’ll draw up an action plan, which will list the things you’ve agreed to take on as part of your efforts to find work.

Stage two

You must take part in stage two, which lasts up to 26 weeks. You’ll carry out the activities listed on your action plan with support from an Employment Zone personal adviser.

Stage three

You can also volunteer to continue in Employment Zones for up to 22 weeks. You can choose to join stage three if you haven’t found a job during stage two.

Employment Zones for lone parents and people getting Pension Credit

If you’re a lone parent, you can volunteer for Employment Zones help at any time as long as:

• you aren’t working 16 or more hours a week
• you aren’t getting Jobseeker's Allowance

If you get Pension Credit, you can volunteer for Employment Zones at any time as long as you aren’t working 16 or more hours a week.

For more information about Employment Zones and to check if you’re eligible, please contact your Jobcentre.

Find your local Jobcentre Plus office