I enjoyed visiting the Mercury Theatre to meet some of their newest team members who have joined as part of the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) Kickstart Scheme. It was inspiring to see their passion and hear about their aspirations for the future.
Our £2 billion Kickstart Scheme puts young people right at the heart of our economic recovery from the pandemic by supporting those at risk of long-term unemployment into paid, six month placements across the private, public and voluntary sectors. I am delighted that 69,000 young people have started Kickstart roles.
The scheme is open to employers of all sizes. Employers will need to show that the Kickstart role is an additional job that will provide the experience and support a young person needs to improve their chances of permanent employment. Funding available for each job will cover the relevant National Minimum Wage for 25 hours a week, plus the associated employer National Insurance contributions and employer minimum automatic enrolment contributions where applicable. Applications for the Kickstart Scheme will close on 17 December 2021, so if you are an interested employer, I would advise you to find out more about the scheme on the government website: www.gov.uk/kickstart