Calling all companies… Do you know about the Kickstart Scheme? Here’s why we think you should get involved!

The Kickstart scheme subsidises job placements for 16-24 year olds on universal credit who are at risk of long term unemployment. It has just been extended by 3 months to March 2022 but I hope it is extended further as I think it’s a great scheme. Via a local Kickstart Gateway or other service provider the funding covers the following:

• 100% of the national minimum wage for 25 hours per week for 6 months
• Associated National Insurance contributions and the minimum automatic enrolment pension contributions
• £1860 initial payment (per young person) which includes £360 for admin costs plus £1500 for setup costs and employability support. Employers can choose to get someone else to do this for them including a Kickstart gateway or a service provider. If they choose to do this they will have to agree shared costs. *There may be VAT implications depending on employer circumstances.
• Wages and costs are paid direct to the employer.

The employer can use the funding for training and employability support, which we can provide at Parker Enterprise Company Limited. Funding can also be used for IT equipment and software, uniform or PPE.

The jobs created with the Kickstart Scheme funding must be new jobs and cannot replace existing or planned vacancies and cannot cause existing employees, apprentices or contractors to lose work or reduce their working hours. The jobs must be a minimum of 25 hours per week, for 6 months, pay at least the national minimum wage and only require basic training.

The ultimate aim of the scheme is to assist the young person to become more employable. Parker Enterprise Company Limited has an excellent reputation for providing employability support to young people. We recently delivered Pre-Kickstart courses nationally on behalf of the DWP to assist young people to make a smooth transition from unemployment into the many Kickstart placement opportunities.

Get in touch with us if you want to know more and would like us to support your local young people on the Kickstart scheme!