Kickstart Scheme

What we know so far and how The HR Dept Newcastle can support you

Last week the Government officially launched the kickstart Scheme.

The scheme is subsidised with the Government paying 100 per cent of the age-relevant National Minimum Wage, National Insurance and pension contributions provided young people aged 16-24 are given quality positions with a minimum 25 hours a week. It is for 16-24-year olds on universal credit.

What we know so far:

The Government will pay Employers to create high quality 6-month work placements

Funding will be for 25 hours per week at appropriate NMW level

Employer can top up the wages/offer additional hours

The job placements must not:       

• replace existing or planned vacancies
• cause existing employees or contractors to lose or reduce their employment
• The young person should not be required to undertake extensive training before they begin

On application the following detail must be given on how you will help them to:

• Develop skills and experience
• Search for long-term employment opportunities
• Set career goals and provide career advice
• Write a CV
• Prepare for interviews
• Develop their work skills such as team working, communication, timekeeping and attendance 

Employers can receive ￡1,500 for each job placement to cover set up costs, training and support

Applications will be reviewed by panel with a response within 1 month

Once approved job descriptions must be provided and include detail of what the candidates will need to do to apply. We will support with this.

Initial set up costs will be paid once you have confirmed a young person has started work and is on your payroll

DWP will use HMRC information to check the young person is still employed and will pay the grant in arrears and may also contact the young person during the placement to check what support has been provided to them in supporting their employment

How The HR Dept Newcastle can support you

Set Up

The Scheme requires individual employers to provide a minimum of 30 new job placements in order to qualify for support. This will be unachievable for the majority of SMEs. However, potential employers can come together to create a collected pool of 30 placements, which can be headed up by a representative.

The HR Dept Newcastle are potentially willing to act as a representative for our clients and wider SMEs in our region. I say potentially as we would need to be approved.

We will need to reach at least 30 placements before we are able to undertake the application process.

Should we not be able to proceed we will ensure that the details you provide as passed across to an alternative representative with your permission. We wont simply leave you in limbo.

Training

We also intend to provide the training that is required by the employer as part of the scheme commitment (as set out above). This will take the pressure off you so you can concentrate on the deliver aspect of their placement. 

We would be looking to charge for the training element and we would intend to deliver in groups across all of the placements, by zoom. Employers are allocated funding of ￡1500 to cover training so we do not see this as a direct cost to you (we estimate the training element to be around ￡450 per placement).

Action by 18th September

If you are interested in taking part in the Kickstarter Scheme, please contact

[email protected] with:

·      the number of placements you would be willing to offer;

·      details of the job placements you are proposing and;

·      information about the support you plan to offer the young people.

·      if you intend to access the training package

If you have any questions at all on this please let me know and I will attempt to answer.

Jayne Hart

Director, The HR Dept Newcastle

07944772130 / [email protected]