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Government Kickstart Scheme Opens

In an effort to boost employment and help young people get into work during the Covid Pandemic, the government has announced a Kickstart scheme, which applies to businesses recruiting young staff, including apprentices. This scheme provides grants to businesses to cover wages for new recruits for 6 months. Sixth Sense Training is happy to provide information and guidance and help businesses with their applications.

About the scheme:

  • Funding is available for 100% of the relevant National Minimum Wage for 25 hours a week, plus associated employer National Insurance contributions and employer minimum automatic enrolment contributions. There is also £1,500 per job placement available for setup costs, support and training.
  • Applications must be for a minimum of 30 job placements.
  • If you are unable to offer this many job placements, you can partner with other organisations to reach the minimum number.
  • 6-month job placements for young people who are currently on Universal Credit.

If you’re creating fewer than 30 job placements:

If your organisation is creating fewer than 30 job placements, you cannot apply directly. You must partner with other organisations in order to create a minimum of 30 job placements before applying.

We are happy to help those who cannot apply directly, simply email us for more information: recruitment@sixthsense-training.com

Kickstart jobs:

The job placements created with Kickstart funding must be new jobs. They must be:

  • A minimum of 25 hours per week, for 6 months.
  • Paid at least the National Minimum Wage for their age group.
  • Should not require people to undertake extensive training before they begin the job placement.
  • Each application should include how you will help the participants to develop their skills and experience, including:
  • Support to look for long-term work, including career advice and setting goals.
  • Support with CV and interview preparations.
  • Supporting the participant with basic skills, such as attendance, timekeeping and teamwork.
  • Once a job placement is created, it can be taken up by a second person once the first successful applicant has completed their 6-month term.

FAQs

Can the candidate take part in an apprenticeship while on the Kickstart Scheme?

Yes. The government has confirmed that candidates on the Kickstart scheme can register for an apprenticeship. What’s more Apprenticeships and related services is a great way to meet some of the criteria listed above, for example, supporting the candidate develop their employability skills and developing them while they’re on the programme. An Apprenticeship can turn many entry level jobs into a proper career for young people.

How do candidates apply?

Candidates will apply for the job placements through their Universal Credit job coach and you can choose who to employ. You will only obtain funding if you appoint a young person that DWP has introduced.

How is the funding paid?

The employer will receive initial setup costs when they have confirmed the young person has started work, is enrolled on your payroll and is being paid through PAYE. DWP will use information from HMRC to check that the young person is still employed, and will pay the grant in arrears.

Will I be contacted by DWP during the Kickstart programme?

DWP may contact the employer or the young person during the job placement to check what employability support has been offered. This is to make sure the young person has the best experience from the scheme.

If you would like further information on the Kickstart Scheme or would like to recruit using the scheme or join our cohort, please email recruitment@sixthsense-training.com

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