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Work Placement Experience Programme
From Department of Social Protection
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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 minimum weekly rate of your personal rate is €335. You may also get an extra amount for your adult dependant called an Increase for a Qualified Adult (IQA). An adult dependant is usually your spouse or civil partner.
See the qualifying list in the next section.
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.
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
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.
The WPEP Guidelines provide information on participant eligibility or you can check with your local Intreo Centre Employment Personal Advisor to see if you are entitled to take part in any scheme or placement.
The weekly rate of payment is €335 plus any additional payments you may be entitled to for a Qualified Adult or a Qualified Child.
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.
You can apply for WPEP by registering on JobsIreland.ie.
Once registered, you can apply for WPEP vacancies advertised on JobsIreland.
Application Form: Work Placement Experience Programme (WPEP1)
Joint Application Form for Jobseeker and Employer Updated: September 2021
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Work Placement Experience Programme: Personal Learning Plan (WPEP2)
Participant’s Personal Learning Plan and Guidelines for the Work Placement Experience Programme Updated: September 2021
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Work Placement Experience Programme: Personal Learning Journal
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