Significant barriers to employment
A client who has significant barriers to employment is likely to be disadvantaged in the labour market and may qualify for a Flexi-wage Subsidy if they meet all other eligibility criteria.
Having significant barriers to employment means a client has one or more barriers that makes it hard for them to get into and stay in employment without help to address those barriers. This could include clients who have:
- low or no educational qualifications
- limited or no work experience
- limited employment skills, or their skills are mismatched with the labour market
- a health condition, injury or disability, including learning difficulties, and alcohol and drug dependency
- caring responsibilities e.g. children, a person with health needs
- transportation issues or live somewhere with limited employment opportunities
- frequent contact with the justice system, including those with previous criminal convictions
- family violence issues
An individual may have more than one barrier to employment, or one barrier that is very impactful and affects them getting into or staying in work.
Example
Jayde left school at 16 before she finished NCEA Level 1 and has never had a job.
She is now 19 and has been getting Jobseeker Support for a year.
Jayde has been applying for jobs but has not been successful.
She wants to work but has no skills, or experience as well as a limited education.
These factors mean she has significant barriers to employment as she has no work experience in relation to most of her peers.
An employer may be able to get a Flexi-wage Subsidy for her, if all the eligibility criteria are met.
