During the financial crisis in 2008 young people were badly affected and research shows that setbacks early in a young persons journey into work can have long term consequences. So the Government is putting £2 billion pounds into a scheme to create jobs for young people. We all know how important it is to get your foot in the door! This will help young people do just that.
You can use the Kickstart Scheme to create new 6-month job placements for young people who are currently on Universal Credit and at risk of long-term unemployment.
Importantly, the job placements should support the participants to develop the skills and experience they need to find work after completing the scheme. It is about you as an employer helping the person learn the essentials whilst the government helps you by paying their wages.
Funding is available for 100% 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.
To apply directly to the scheme you need to offer 30 job roles but I know there are many local businesses that will want to help young people in this way that won't meet that threshold. Where you want to offer less than 30 roles, even just 1, you can group together to apply to the scheme.
So I want to hear from any and all local employers of all kinds whether charity or not for profit, small or large, that want to take part.
I am working with the South Cheshire Chamber to deliver a scheme for Crewe & Nantwich based employers. This would also allow us to deliver as a group some of the development and skills work we would want employers to do if these might be a challenge for you individually.
Register your interest below!
