What is the Kickstart Jobs Scheme?

The Government’s Kickstart Scheme has now opened to assist young people on Universal Credit aged between 16-24 to find six month work placements.

The Government will pay 100% of the age-relevant National Minimum Wage, National Insurance and pension contributions for 25 hours a week. Employers can top up this wage.

In addition, the government will also pay employers £1,500 per job placement to cover set up costs (such as uniforms) and ongoing support and training.

The scheme only applies to new jobs. They must not:

replace existing or planned vacancies
cause existing employees or contractors to lose or reduce their employment

Once a job placement is created, it can be taken up by a second person once the first successful applicant has completed their 6-month term.

The jobs created must:

be for a minimum of 25 hours per week, for 6 months
be paid at least the National Minimum Wage for the age group
not require extensive training before commencing the placement

Each application should include how participants will be helped to develop their skills and experience, including:

support to look for long-term work, including career advice and setting goals
support with CV and interview preparations
supporting the participant with basic skills, such as attendance, timekeeping and teamwork

The scheme is open to businesses of all sizes and there is no cap on the number of places. However, applications must be for a minimum of 30 placements – employers offering fewer than this will need to make a bid with partner firms or through an intermediary, such as a Local Authority or Chamber of Commerce. An additional £300 of funding towards administrative costs is available to the representative applying on behalf of a group of employers.

Young people will be referred into the new roles through their Jobcentre Plus work coach with the first Kickstarts expected to begin at the start of November.

The scheme will initially run until December 2021 although it may be extended.

Further details, including how to apply, can be found online.