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Are you looking for an affordable way to employ new staff while helping young people into the workforce? Then the Government’s kickstart scheme could be the perfect scheme for your business. The scheme is aimed to help young people between the ages of 16 and 24 who are at risk of long-term unemployment to get the experience they need to kickstart their careers. 

 

For each kickstart job the Government will cover the cost of 25 hours a week at the national minimum wage as well as pension and national insurance contributions. Employers will also receive £1,500 for every eligible young person who they employ through the scheme to support their personal development and employability skills.

We have created nine (9) industry specific employability courses that can help you support young people and give them the skills they need to succeed in your industry and with your business. Find out more about our employability courses. 

 

The Government’s kickstart scheme is open to businesses in all sectors and of all sizes in England, Scotland, and Wales.

From tech and digital businesses to retail, warehousing, and social care, the kickstart employment scheme covers careers in every industry.

The scheme is part of the Government’s Plan for Jobs which includes other types of employment schemes such as apprenticeships. 

 

All Employability Courses
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A young man studying in front of computer

Is Kickstart the same as an apprenticeship?

The Kickstart job scheme is completely separate from apprenticeships and is a six (6) month work placement for young people aged between 16 and 24. Placements must not replace existing or planned vacancies or be used to replace staff either on a part-time or permanent basis. 

 

In addition to the kickstart scheme, participants may move onto another form of employability training or be enrolled into an apprenticeship with their current employer. This is a great option for employers and employees alike as it helps provide young people with the skills they need to work in their chosen industry. 

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What else do employers need to know?

As part of the scheme employers need to provide support for their employees and help them build employability skills which will enable them to gain the skills they need to enter the job market. A great way for businesses to provide this support is to enrol applicants on a Transition to Employment course that provides a regulated Qualification. 

 

This is where our Level 2 Transition to Employment Qualifications can help. These have been aimed at supporting the Kickstart and Restart schemes with short courses to meet the needs of learners looking to transition into work in a new sector. Find out more about the full range of employability qualifications here.