What is the Government Kickstart Scheme?

The Kickstart scheme is a £2 billion initiative aimed at increasing employment rates in young people (aged 16-24), whilst providing employers with government funding to overcome the economic hardship caused by COVID-19.

The scheme asks employers to create 6-month work placements for those aged 16-24, allowing them to gain the experience and employability skills they need, to enter (and stay in) future employment. In return, the government will pay the wages of each young person taken on by an organisation, and provide them with a grant to cover the associated overhead costs.

The job roles can be in any sector and of any description. Examples include but are not limited to:

Kickstart Scheme For Schools and Nurseries

Would you like to employ a new member of staff on a 6 month placement, with 100% of the costs of wages and training paid for by the Government?

We’ve been speaking to headteachers and teachers throughout the UK. And the consensus is that adjusting to the impact of Coronavirus has been a real struggle. The new Government Kickstart Scheme will come as welcome news and an opportunity to ease the strain.

The scheme could help you recruit teaching assistants, business administrators, cleaners and other support staff to manage the impact of Coronavirus.

It will also give young people the opportunity to gain valuable work experience, achieve new qualifications, boost their career prospects and earn a wage.

There isn’t the expectation that you’ll offer a permanent position at the end of the 6 months. The scheme is all about giving young people valuable work experience and helping them become more employable.

The placements have a duration of 6 months, working 25 hours a week, with staff paid at the National Minimum Wage entirely funded by the government. That includes National Insurance payments and Pension Contributions.

You may have heard that it’s complicated to get set up and benefit from the Kickstart Scheme. Especially the requirement for 30 new vacancies to apply for the scheme directly.

That’s where we can help. Think Employment is an approved intermediary. We can help make using the Kickstart Scheme to recruit new staff easy.

Established in 2002, we have expertise and experience providing recruitment and training in the education sector. We are funded by the Education & Skills Funding Agency and subject to inspection by OFSTED with training centres in Greater Manchester, Yorkshire & the Humber.

If you’d like to find out more about the Kickstart Scheme. Or you’d like to appoint Think Employment as your intermediary. Please get in touch on 01472 493000 or email [email protected].