Kickstart Scheme
Apply for the Kickstart Scheme
The Kickstart Scheme provides funding to create new job placements for 16 to 24 year olds on Universal Credit who are at risk of long term unemployment.
Employers of all sizes can apply for funding which covers:
– 100% of the National Minimum Wage (or the National Living Wage depending on the age of the participant) for 25 hours per week for a total of 6 months
– associated employer National Insurance contributions
– employer minimum automatic enrolment contributions
Employers can spread the start date of the job placements up until the end of December 2021.
Job placement criteria
The job placements created with Kickstart Scheme funding must be new jobs. You need to check all of this with the employers you represent.
The job placements must not:
– replace existing or planned vacancies
– cause existing employees, apprentices or contractors to lose work or reduce their working hours
The job placements must:
– be a minimum of 25 hours per week, for 6 months
– pay at least the National Minimum Wage or the National Living Wage for the employee’s age group
– only require basic training
Each job placement needs to help the young person become more employable. The Kickstart gateway needs to agree with the employer how this is done.
This employability support could include:
– looking for long-term work, including career advice and setting goals
– support with CV and interview preparations
– developing their skills in the workplace
If you as an employer are not eligible for Kickstart Scheme funding, find out about other employment schemes.
The young person may be able to move to another employment scheme when they’ve finished their 6-month Kickstart Scheme job placement.
Kickstart gateways
A Kickstart gateway is an organisation that has shown interest in representing employers who want to apply for 29 or less job placements. Kickstart gateways can be any type of organisation. DWP performs due diligence checks on these organisations
Employers can look up details of Kickstart gateways who have told us they’re interested in helping.
What you’ll get
£300 per job placement
Kickstart gateways will get £300 for each job placement to cover admin costs.
£1,500 per job placement for employers
Every job placement created gets £1,500 funding. This will be paid to the young person, who will need to pay this to the employer.
This funding is for setup costs and to support the young person to develop their employability skills. Employers can choose to get someone else to do this for them, such as a Kickstart gateway or a service provider. If they choose to do this they will have to agree how to share the £1,500.
Kickstart Scheme wages and costs are paid to the employee, who will pass this on to the employer. This funding covers:
– 100% of the National Minimum Wage (or the National Living Wage depending on the age of the participant) for 25 hours per week for a total of 6 months
– associated employer National Insurance contributions
– employer minimum automatic enrolment contributions
Employers can pay a higher wage and for more hours but the funding will not cover this.
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Thank you for your interest in the Kickstart Scheme!
We will pass your enquiry over to the relevant party who will be in touch with you soon.
For any urgent queries, please ring us on 01522 523333.
Kind regards,
Lincolnshire Chamber of Commerce
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