CHAMBER NEWS
Sharing success stories from the Kickstart Scheme
KICKSTART CASE STUDY: BIRCH PRINT, ILKESTON
Taking on five Kickstarters was a “no-brainer” for Birch Print, a specialist print management company in Ilkeston. The family-run business, founded 35 years ago,
had reached the point when it needed to expand its team of nine but felt restrained by the uncertainty of the pandemic. By using the Kickstart scheme, it has hired an
admin assistant, marketing assistant, sales support officer, warehouse assistant and studio technician in recent months.
Diane Beresford
More than 500 young people have found employment after the Chamber played a pivotal role in the Kickstart scheme. About 1,500 vacancies are also
live – like the starters, based mostly in the East Midlands – after the organisation worked with 640 employers to date to create the six- month work placements. Employers that want to create
Kickstart roles – which are aimed at people aged 16 to 24 who are on Universal Credit or at risk of long- term unemployment – often use gateway organisations such as the Chamber to apply to the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) for a grant to cover the costs.
‘It’s incredibly exciting and rewarding to see the fruits of our labour as people now start their jobs’
Diane Beresford, the Chamber’s deputy chief executive and Kickstart lead, said: “We’re so proud to have played a key role in giving young people a chance they may not otherwise have had. After spending many months working with employers on their applications, it’s incredibly exciting and rewarding to see the fruits of our labour as people now start their jobs. “Businesses taking part are
playing a vital role in their communities by supporting and preparing our future workforce, while they also benefit from a relatively risk-free opportunity to
32 business network June 2021
‘The Kickstart scheme is vital for the younger generation in such challenging times’
Joint owner and sales director Andrea Priestley said: “The uncertainty of the past year has brought a sense of cautiousness that avoids going out on a limb by adding new people to the team. “But the Kickstart scheme gave us the opportunity
to expand with minimal risk to the business, as well as opportunities to give young people the experience that allows them to shine in valid roles that potentially could become full-time positions.” Ollie Wheway, 23, from Derbyshire, joined in the
sales support role after a previous apprenticeship ignited a passion in business development.
Amanda Priestley and Ollie Wheway, of Birch Print He said: “The current climate has hit many people
hard, especially for young professionals starting their careers. After I was made redundant, I found it difficult for other prospects to ‘give you a chance’ and the reasoning was always the same – ‘little experience’. “I could not understand what I was doing a wrong.
The demand for work was high and after applying for over 100 positions and almost losing hope, Birch Print offered me a position within its team. The Kickstart scheme is vital for the younger generation in such challenging times.”
KICKSTART CASE STUDY: SECRET WHISPERS, MARKET HARBOROUGH
Chloe Godding had been looking for a job ever since graduating from university last summer, only managing to secure a couple of temporary roles for a few weeks at a time. So landing a digital marketing apprenticeship at women’s healthcare company Secret Whispers, based in Market Harborough, earlier this year was a turning point in her fledgling career. Her role has provided a cross-section of
experience, ranging from running social media channels to seeking out wholesalers to carry its Kegel Kit products, which help women to improve
the strength of their pelvic floor muscles. The 22-year-old, who also lives in the town, said: “I
have really enjoyed the experience so far and feel that my contributions are noticed. The knowledge and skills I have gained by being involved with a small business that’s selling worldwide couldn’t be learned in a ‘normal’ job. “This is a great step and will give me the
experience I need to secure a similar job in the future, or even better stay here in a full-time role.” Her colleague Millie Stokes, from Loughborough,
also joined via the Kickstart scheme as an e- commerce apprentice. The 23-year-old, who has learned how to use
programmes such as Google Ads and HubSpot to drive and manage sales, said: “I have learned about so many areas and aspects of running a business that I could not have gained elsewhere.” Secret Whispers owner Julie Colan, who previously
ran the award-winning business on her own, said the Kickstart recruits had made a “massive difference” to her company. “They provide a new insight that is invaluable in a
Chloe Godding, Julie Colan and Millie Stokes
business when you are the sole employee,” she added. “They have continuous training and attend many training workshops, which means they can better improve their knowledge and their roles within the business.”
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