DWP launches ‘skills bootcamps’ for Universal Credit and benefits claimants

The Department for Work and Pensions is launching ‘preparation bags’ for benefit claimants to try and get them back into work. Minister and DWP chief Mel Stride today (Tuesday 21 May) launched a massive ‘Back to Work’ plan in a bid to fill vacancies.

The DWP said the plan for “skills bootcamps” would be similar to measures introduced in 2021 to target the shortage of HGV drivers. Gavin Edwards, head of social work at Unison, said: “There is nothing wrong with promoting social work as a career and providing the right training to try to attract new recruits to the crisis-hit sector.”

The taskforce, which has already met, will seek to emulate the “large haul driver shortage-style” initiatives which have helped fill vacancies in the sector through solutions developed with employers, including skills-specific ‘stamping’, schemes of training at Jobcentres and cutting red tape that prevents internal retention. recruitment.

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Mr Edwards said: “But forcing unemployed people off benefits and into care roles, while keeping wages low, simply won’t work. Most people will neither want to do the job nor be suited for it. This latest silly idea shows ministers have no idea how to fix care. It’s yet another desperate attempt to distract voters from years of government failure and broken promises.

Trades Union Congress general secretary Paul Nowak added: “Any government serious about upskilling the workforce would not have made 40% cuts to education. preformative politics”.

Shevaun Haviland, CEO of the British Chambers of Commerce, commented: “Our research shows that although firms continue to face skills shortages, many are not engaging with their local jobcentre to find new staff. it is crucial.

“We look forward to working closely with the Department for Work and Pensions and the whole of government to build a cross-sectoral plan for the labor market. The priority must be connecting people with opportunities and connecting employers with the staff they need.”