Kickstart Scheme

The Kickstart scheme has closed.

On 2 September 2020, the Government announced a new “Kickstart scheme” in Great Britain to fund 6-month work placements aimed at 16 to 24 year olds who are on Universal Credit and deemed to be at risk of long-term unemployment. Chancellor Rishi Sunak described the scheme as an "opportunity to kickstart the careers of thousands of young people who could otherwise be left behind as a result of the pandemic".

For further details see:

https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/kickstart-scheme

The Kickstart scheme is part of the Government’s Plan for Jobs and aims to create new, fully funded jobs across England, Scotland and Wales. Jobcentre staff will identify people to refer to the scheme, and Jobcentre work coaches will support candidates before and after their placement.

Funding will cover the following for each job placement:

· 100% of the relevant National Minimum Wage for 25 hours a week;

· Associated employer National Insurance contributions; and

· Employer minimum pension auto-enrolment contributions.

Extra funding is also available to support young people to build on their experience and help them move into further employment after the Kickstart scheme job is completed.