What is the Kickstart Scheme?

Back in July, the UK Government announced 2 billion pounds worth of funding to support job creation opportunities for young people aged 16-24.

The Kickstart Scheme provides funding to employers to create new 6-month work placements for young people who are currently on Universal Credit and at risk of long-term unemployment. The funding is available for all industries across the Public, Private and Voluntary sectors.

This is part of the government’s Plan forJobs and aims to create hundreds and thousands of new, fully funded jobs across England, Scotland and Wales. The first placements are likely to be available from November. The funding will cover:

• 100% of the relevant National Minimum Wage for 25 hours a week  
  
• The associated employer National Insurance contributions
• Employer minimum automatic enrolment contributions
• There will also be a £1500 initial payment to cover set-up and wraparound support costs

In order to apply for funding independently, you must be able to offer 30+ work placements. We understand that this is a large number and we can now confirm that Educ8 is a “Gateway Representative” who can pull multiple employer vacancies together in order to apply for the funding grant on your behalf.

Additional Information:

• They must not replace existing or planned vacancies
• Cause existing employees or contractors to lose or reduce their employment
• Employer minimum automatic enrolment contributions

• A minimum of 25 hours perweek, for 6 months
• Paid at least the National Minimum Wage for their age group
• Should not require people to undertake extensive training before they begin the job placement

• Support to look for long-term work
• Support with CV and interview preparation
• Training to develop their skills, such as teamwork, organisation and communications as part of the role

Educ8 can support with this wrap around employability support.

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