The Flexi-wage employment programme can help businesses pay and support employees while they gain skills for a job.
What is Flexi-wage?
Flexi-wage is a wage contribution and other support while a new employee gets the skills they need to do their job. This could include:
- in-work support e.g. pastoral care such as regular check-ins to see how things are going
- on-the-job training.
Depending on the level of support a candidate needs, Flexi-wage may be paid for either 24 or 36 weeks, at $276 including GST a week. There is some discretion to vary this support if the candidate has complex or specific needs.
Who can get it
Flexi-wage aims to support job seekers who are disadvantaged in the workforce, are at risk of being on a benefit long-term, or both. It can be used in a variety of ways, for:
- a new employee who needs support to gain skills to do a job
- a current employee who’s at risk of being made redundant, but who could be reskilled into a different role in your business, or a temporary role in another business.
You may be able to apply for Flexi-wage for an employee if:
- they meet the Flexi-wage eligibility criteria
- the position is ongoing and will continue after the subsidy has finished
- you pay at least minimum wage for the role
- you haven’t dismissed anyone to make the job available.
Get in touch with Work and Income to find out more about eligibility and how to apply. If you have someone in mind for Flexi-wage, Work and Income will be able to talk to you about their potential eligibility. If you don’t already have someone in mind, they can help you find a suitable candidate.
Work and Income will also help you get Flexi-wage set up and draft up a contract which will outline the subsidy amount, duration and the payment structure.
Flexi-wage subsidy – employer information – Work and Income
Contact Work and Income about Flexi-wage – Work and Income
SOURCE: BUSINESS.GOVT.NZ
