Kickstart Scheme
The Kickstart Scheme provides funding to employers to create job placements for 16 to 24 year olds.
This is part of the Government's Plan for Jobs; vacancies for placements can be submitted up until December 31st 2021.
Click Here to view our Kickstart Employer Hub
Click Here to view current Kickstart Placement Vacancies (Candidates Only)
About the Kickstart Scheme
Who can apply for funding
Any organisation, regardless of size, can apply for funding.
The job placements created with Kickstart funding must be new jobs. They must not:
- replace existing or planned vacancies
- cause existing employees or contractors to lose or reduce their employment
The roles you are applying for 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:
- supporting the participant with basic skills, such as attendance, timekeeping and teamwork
- support to look for long-term work, including career advice and setting goals
- support with CV and interview preparations
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.
Funding will cover for each job placement:
- 100% of the relevant National Minimum Wage for 25 hours a week
- the associated employer National Insurance contributions
- employer minimum automatic enrolment contributions
- £1500 grant per placement
Providing essential skills support for your Kickstart placement
The placement grant of £1500 is provided to support the employer to fund the costs of essential skills and development required for each Kickstart Placement - CV writing, interview prep, communication skills and pastoral support - and other wrap around support such as protective equipment, IT equipment, travel subsidies (if needed/agreed).
To make it simple for employers and to ensure high quality delivery of skills support, CV Writing and Interview Preparation & Skills will be provided via Coventry Warwickshire Chamber Training (funded from the £1,500 wrap around payment).
Pastoral Support for placements will be provided via Coventry & Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce - ensuring consistent, independent and confidential support to individual Kickstarters (funded from the £1500 wrap around payment).
There will also be extra funding to support young people to build their experience and help them move into sustained employment after they have completed their Kickstart Scheme funded job.
Kickstart Scheme not right for your business?
Coventry & Warwickshire Chamber Training can provide skills support, advice and guidance for employers and can also advise on other routes available to secure employees, such as Apprenticeships.
Click here for more information on Coventry & Warwickshire Chamber Training
How to apply
There are two options available to employers should you wish to apply for Kickstart Placements as below:
1. Applying using the Chamber of Commerce as a Gateway Organisations. Contact Samantha Beard ([email protected]) to submit your expression of interest, outline your plans for the placement(s), discuss any queries and have our support during your Kickstart Placement
2. Applying directly to the Department for Work & Pensions (DWP). Click here to apply through the Government website, however, be note that DWP will require evidence that support such as CV writing, Interview Skills and Pastoral Support are provided.
For more information and to request an expression of interest form please email our Kickstart Coordinator, Samantha: [email protected]
If your application meets the requirements of the scheme, you will receive a letter with a grant agreement. This agreement will include what your company has agreed to provide, and how much funding you will receive from the Kickstart Scheme.
You must sign and return your grant agreement, using the details in the letter, before any job placements can begin.
You will need to provide job descriptions for each of the job placements you applied for. This should include what candidates need to do to apply for the job placement.
You will then be contacted by the young people who have been matched to your job placement.
Unfortunately we are unable to provide the reason behind this as DWP cannot disclose this information (GDPR). However, you will be able to submit another application or speak with DWP directly - we will discuss this with you if unsuccessful. There is no limit to the number of times you can apply for funding, however there is no legal right of appeal.
Candidates will apply for the job placements and you can choose who to employ.
You will only obtain funding if you appoint a young person that we have introduced.
You will receive initial setup costs when you 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.
DWP may contact you 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.
Young people can find out more about the Kickstart Scheme at the jobhelp site.
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