As another part of Rishi Sunak’s ‘Plan for Jobs’ (see also Job Retention Bonus) the Kickstart Scheme has been launched. The scheme was designed to create new 6-month job replacements for young people. It is targeted at those that are dependant on Universal Credits and who are at risk of long term unemployment.

The £2 billion Kickstart Scheme is designed to create hundreds of thousands of new, fully subsidised jobs for young people across the country.

The 6-month placements are open to 16-24 year olds and will be available across a range of different sectors in England, Scotland and Wales. The first placements are expected to be available from November.

How will the scheme work?

The scheme will fund 100% of the National Minimum Wage for 25 hours a week for employers. Also the employer NI contributions and minimum auto-enrolment pension contributions.

There will also be extra funding to support young people to build their experience and help them move into sustained employment after they have completed their Kickstart funded job.

Applications must be applied through a representative of a group of employers for less than 30 job placements. They can submit an application on your behalf, using other employers to create 30 or more job placements in one application.

Kickstart Scheme Requirements

The job placements created with Kickstart funding must be new jobs. They must not replace existing or planned vacancies or cause the loss or reduction of employment for current employees.   The roles must be a minimum of 25 hours/week for 6 months and should not require extensive training.

A key component of the placements is to help the new employees develop their professional skills and experience. For example; support looking for long-term work, CV and interview advice, training to develop transferable professional skills.

Please feel free to contact us for further information regarding the Kickstarter Scheme.