When he finished employment he would have drawn his jobseekers benefit (stamps) I presume, when that finished he would then have been able to apply for jobseekers allowance (dole), as this is means tested if your income was too much then he would not have got anything, however he could continue to sign on for what they call credits, you get no money but it maintains your record of contributions towards pension entitlements. If he did not do this at the time he could probably now apply again for jobseekers allowance and when refused opt to sign for credits assuming he is a jobseeker. I'm not sure if he has to apply for JA first or can go straight to credits. Signing for credits is more than likely to be to his benefit and he will then qualify for the springboard courses and some part time Fas courses if he is interested.
He could ask at a Citizens Information or social welfare office.