Chancellor Rishi Sunak recently announced the Kickstart Scheme, a new £2 billion funded incentive to encourage young people into the workplace. The scheme will fund new six month job placements for young people who are currently on universal credit and ‘at risk’ of long-term unemployment.

The scheme usually requires a minimum of 30 applicants. However, EIC through TAC is acting as a facilitating body and as such can collectively make applications on members’ behalf, no matter their size.

EIC members interested in participating are encouraged to contact Kimberly Murphy, Apprenticeship and Skills Manager at TAC/EIC via email to discuss the opportunity in more detail. She is also on hand to answer any queries around the scheme that you might have.

Commenting on the announcement, Kimberly Murphy said: “We’re delighted to offer members access to the Government’s Kickstart Scheme. Thanks to our work even the smallest SME can get involved in the programme which offers a great opportunity to help young people back into the workplace.

“Our hope is that the scheme can be used as a springboard to an apprenticeship or even full-employment. We’re looking to launch in November, so any interested companies are urged to get in touch to discuss how they might participate as soon as possible.”

As with any employment scheme, there are certain conditions attached to the scheme, which we have outlined below, and more detail is available at www.gov.uk/kickstart.

Participating companies will receive funding for each placement:

• 100% of the relevant National Minimum Wage for 25 hours a week
• The associated employer National Insurance contributions
• Employer minimum automatic enrolment contributions
• £1,500 incentive payment per job placement available for setup costs, support and training

In return, employers will be expected to offer:

• A minimum of 25 hours per week, for up to 6 months
• Paid at least the National Minimum Wage for their age group
• Applicants are between 16-24 years old
• Should not require people to undertake extensive training before they begin the job placement
• Support to find long-term work, including career advice, CV and interview preparation, and developing basic skills such as attendance, timekeeping and teamwork.
  
  

Please note that the placement must not replaced existing or planned vacancies, or cause employees or contractors to lose or reduce their existing employment.