Kickstart Scheme to Create Work Placements for Young People Begins

• Content
• Education & Training
• Kickstart Scheme to Create Work Placements for Young People Begins

02 September 2020

Firms can sign up to create work placements for 16-24-year-olds this week, as part of the government’s recovery plan to stimulate the economy.

Announced in July as part of Rishi Sunak’s “plan for jobs”, the scheme is intended to create work opportunities for young people at risk of long-term unemployment.

Around 700,000 young people are set to leave education and enter the job market this year, and a quarter of a million more people aged under 25 have been claiming unemployment benefits since March.

From today onwards (Wednesday 02 September) businesses can use the Kickstart Scheme to create new 6-month job placements for young people. Funding is available for 100 per cent of the relevant National Minimum Wage for 25 hours a week, plus associated employer National Insurance contributions and employer minimum automatic enrolment contributions. 

There is also £1,500 per job placement available for setup costs, support and training.

The Chancellor and Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, Therese Coffey, said that the scheme will put “young people at the heart of our revival.”

Picture: A graphic showing the phrase "a plan for jobs", part of the government's official campaign for economic recovery

Who Can Apply for Funding?

• Any organisation, regardless of size, can apply
• The scheme is available in England, Scotland and Wales
• Applications must be for a minimum of 30 job placements. If you are unable to offer this many job placements, you can partner with other organisations to reach the minimum number
• The job placements must be new jobs, and not replace existing or planned vacancies
• The roles must be for a minimum of 25 hours per week, for 6 months
• The candidates must be aid at least the National Minimum Wage for their age group
• The role should not require people to undertake extensive training before they begin the job
• Each application should include how you will help the participants to develop their skills and experience, such as support to look for long-term work and including career advice 

The scheme will initially be open until December 2021.

Picture: A photograph of a young person working at a desktop computer

Article written by Ella Tansley | Published 02 September 2020

Share

Related Articles