Businesses have been invited to bid for unlimited grant funding to create jobs for young people under the Government’s landmark Kickstart Scheme.
The £2 billion initiative – which forms part of the wider Plan for Jobs – aims to support people aged 16 to 24 at risk of long-term unemployment due to Covid-19.
Under the scheme, employers can apply for funding to cover 100 per cent of the relevant National Minimum Wage for 25 hours a week, plus associated employer National Insurance Contributions (NICs) and employer minimum auto-enrolment pension contributions, of six-month job placements.
The Government will also cover training and start-up costs, such as uniforms, up to a maximum value of £1,500.
Employers of any size or sector have been invited to apply for funding under the scheme, although those looking to launch less than 30 placements will be required to combine their bid with other businesses and apply through an intermediary, such as a Local Authority or Chamber of Commerce.
The Government said this will make the process “easier and less labour intensive to apply for these smaller companies who only want to hire one or two Kickstarters”.
There is no cap on the number of placements a business can offer, and employers have been invited to top up wages if more hours are required.
Commenting on the scheme, Secretary of State for Work and Pensions Therese Coffey said: “As we launch our £2 billion Kickstart programme, putting young people at the heart of our revival – we are urging businesses to get involved in this innovative scheme and take advantage of the enormous pool of potential out there.
“There is no limit on the number of opportunities we’ll open up through Kickstart and we’ll fund each one for six months as part of Our Plan for Jobs to create, support and protect jobs.”
Applications to the Kickstart Scheme will be open until December 2021. To find out more, please click here.
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