STEP FAQs

STEP stands for Specialist Training and Employment Programme. This award-winning programme was set up by World Jewish Relief in 2016 to support refugees on their journey into employment in the UK. 

STEP is designed to support refugees and forced migrants living in the UK with tailored employment support and an intensive English language course.  

You can apply to join STEP if you are a refugee or a forced migrant living in the UK and meet the following criteria: 

• Be a refugee or forced migrant living in the UK  

• Be over 18  

• Be unemployed, working less than 16 hours a week, or on a zero-hours contract  

• Be actively looking for work  

• Be able to commit to weekly employment sessions  and English classes  

• Have at least A1 level English (you can  check your level here) 
  
  You are not eligible if you have previously participated in a STEP programme.

Yes, referrals are available as part of the registration form.

Unfortunately, no. This programme is only for those who haven’t participated in the previous STEP programmes (including STEP Ukraine,  and STEP Ahead). 

Please register for our STEP for Asylum Seekers Programme here

• 6-month programme (24 weeks of employment support and 16 weeks of English classes (6 hours of taught English and 3 hours of homework per week  )  

We will try our best to accommodate your programme choice. 

Additionally, please allow yourself time for homework and independent learning as students also have access to extra resources such as language webinars, videos, and online exercises to aid their learning at any time they choose

The English programme is delivered by the British Council and comprises an English Online course, which is taught by expert English teachers, and an English Score test to check learners’ level. 

If you are attending the online STEP programme and have an English level between A1 and B2 you are eligible to attend the English course. Spaces are limited and we will try our best to provide you with a space. 

You will have weekly meetings with a  dedicated advisor and get personalised employment support, which includes (CV and cover letter writing assistance, job search and application support, interview preparation, access to workshops and resources, etc).

All classes and sessions are virtual. Though, in certain areas of the UK in–person employment support may be offered. 

English classes will be delivered in English; however, we will ensure you are in classes appropriate for your skill level, ranging from beginner to more experienced. We encourage everyone to speak as much English as they can throughout the programme, but we can also provide you with employment support and resources in other languages as needed. This will be assessed during the application process. 

No, you must attend yourself. 

There will be around  12 people in each English class.   

Your employment sessions with a dedicated Employment Advisor are one-to-one, and you  may also be invited to group employment webinars.  

You will be asked to use your smart phone to take the first test which will help put you in the correct group for your English class, based on your current level of English ability. Then you will need to use a laptop or smart tablet to attend your English classes. If you join the programme and do not have access to a laptop we can arrange for a laptop loan.

It is completely free to attend, and is funded by World Jewish Relief. It does require a time commitment. 

You will be able to download a British Council certificate of attendance for your English Online course. You will also have access to you test results in the British Council EnglishScore app and show them to employers.  

You are not guaranteed a job after completing the programme. However, World Jewish Relief’s experienced employment advisors have helped attendees secure a range of jobs. 

Your Employment Advisor will support you to apply for jobs which match your skill set, previous experience and career aspirations. We can also refer you to another organisation called The Entrepreneurial Refugee Network (TERN) who support people who are interested in self-employment.