Bedfordshire Chamber of Commerce
Work
placements for those who need a new start
T e UK Government has now launched its new £2bn Kickstart Scheme to create thousands of jobs for young people - a scheme announced by Chancellor Rishi Sunak in July, as part of the government’s plans to protect, support and create jobs. Tesco and Network Rail are among some of the big employers who have announced they will be signing up to the scheme. But the scheme isn’t just for large organisations, small businesses can also take on Kickstarters. T e Kickstart Scheme was designed to provide
six-month work placements for 16 to 24-year-olds. It is aimed at those on Universal Credit, such as school leavers, or those who have had job off ers withdrawn. T e idea is that young people at risk of long-term unemployment gain valuable experience and training with the Government paying 100% of the age-relevant National Minimum Wage for 25 hours a week, plus National Insurance and pension contributions.
Who can apply for funding? Any organisation, big or small, can apply for funding. Organisations off ering fewer than 30 job placements can make a bid through an intermediary, such as a local authority, trade body or Chamber of Commerce, who will then bid for 30 or more placements as a combined bid from several businesses. T is is to ensure smaller businesses who only want to hire one or two Kickstarters don’t miss out. Justin Richardson, CEO of Bedfordshire
Chamber of Commerce, said: “We are working in partnership with Wenta to act as an intermediary for small businesses in Beds, Herts and North London so that they can access the Kickstart Scheme. “For employers, the Kickstart Scheme is an
opportunity to take on trainees at a subsided cost. It’s also, of course, a great way to support young
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people in your local community. “It is, however, important to think carefully about whether you are able to off er participants a valuable experience. And as the scheme is aimed at those not engaged in employment, education or training (NEETs), participants are unlikely to have much work experience, so you’ll need to consider how well equipped you are to adequately support them.”
What types of job
placements can you offer? T e job placements must be new jobs. T ey must not replace existing or planned job vacancies or impact the employment of existing staff or contractors. Job roles must meet the following requirements:
- A minimum of 25 hours per week, for six months - Pay at least the National Minimum Wage for their age group - Should not require participants to undertake any extensive training prior to taking on the role
What are your responsibilities as an employer? As the employer, you have a responsibility to help any Kickstarters you bring into your company to look for long-term work, for example, by off ering career advice and helping with CV and interview preparations. You also need to provide them with a valuable experience that will help them develop basic skills such as time management and teamwork. You will have to include details of how you
intend to do this as part of your application. Once a job placement is created, it can be taken up by a second person once the fi rst participant has completed their six-month term. T ere is no requirement to employ participants after they’ve completed their six-month term.
ALL THINGS BUSINESS
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