Kick start Scheme Open

The government have set up a scheme to help young people back to work. The Kickstart Scheme as it is now open for applications. 

What is the Scheme?

This scheme will have a ￡2 billion fund to create hundreds of thousands of six-month work placements aimed at those aged 16-24 who are on Universal Credit and are deemed to be “at risk of long-term unemployment”. The first placements are likely to be available from November.

The funding available for each job will cover 100% of the relevant National Minimum Wage for 25 hours a week for 6 months, plus the associated employer National Insurance contributions and employer minimum automatic enrolment contributions.

There will be extra funding available to support young people to build up their experience and help them gain sustained employment after completion of the Kickstart Scheme.

The Scheme is not an apprenticeship but the young person can be moved onto an apprenticeship at any time during or after the job placement.

Applications are now being accepted from employers

Any organisation of any size can apply for the Scheme. Applying for the scheme must not cause any existing employees or contractors to lose or reduce their employment. The application should include how you will help the participants develop their skills and experience.

Applications are for a minimum of 30 job placements. If you are unable to offer this many placements, you can join a group of employers, nominating a representative of the group to make the application, to meet the minimum requirement. The representative will receive ￡300 of funding to support associated administrative costs of bringing together the group of employers.

Further information on this can be found here. Organisations that you could group with could include similar employers, local authorities, trade bodies, and registered charities. You can find out more about becoming a representative here.

Application process is as follows

• If your organisation is creating more than 30 job placements then you can apply directly by clicking here today.
• If cannot create more than 30 job placements then you will need to group with other employers before applying.
• As a representative will need to have a minimum of 30 placements from the group, details of the job placements proposed by the other employers, details of other employers business and information on the support they plan to offer the young person.

As with all mu update articles through covid, it is not legal advice. its an overview of the provisions. if you need more information then please visit GOV.UK website.

information is correct as at 7th July 2020.

Please look out for my book Penni on employment rights and covid19. Post covid litigation. released later in the year.