Kickstart Scheme

The Kickstart scheme is a £2 billion fund designed to create hundreds of thousands of high quality, 6-month work placements for young people aged 16-24, who are claiming Universal Credit.

 

As the Government launched its Kickstart scheme, aimed at helping young people into work, the Sussex Chamber of Commerce stepped up to act as a Gateway Organisation to support businesses to maximise the benefits of the scheme.

 

The Government’s Kickstart scheme is designed to help young people whose dreams, careers and ideal jobs have been affected by COVID-19.

  

How the Scheme works

 

The Government will fund 100% of the relevant National Minimum Wage for a minimum of 25 hours per week, plus associated employer National Insurance contributions and employer minimum automatic enrollment contributions for 6 months.  £1,500 is also available per placement to support and train the young person.

 

This means that for any business, of any size and operating in any sector who is looking to create quality jobs for young people can apply to create new 6-month job placements and support the next generation through the early stages of their career to develop skills and experience.

 

Check out the Kickstart Scheme Employer Guide here

 

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:

• support to look for long-term work, including career advice and setting goals
• support with CV and interview preparations
• supporting the participant with basic skills, such as attendance, timekeeping and teamwork

 

Once a job placement is completed, and by working with various partners in Sussex, the aim is to support the young person into long term employment, an apprenticeship or other opportunities.

 

 

 

Tips for Making a Successful Kickstart Application

 

 

 

 

How to apply

 

Before applying, we would advise that you review this guidance document.

  

If your organisation wishes to create a job placement, we can help you do this. We will remove the administrative burden for you and handle the whole process. 

Register your interest here and we will get back to you with further information. Please complete the Survey Monkey form and submit job descriptions to info@sussexchamberofcommerce.co.uk 

 

 

Timelines

 

Please note applications are submitted on a monthly basis to DWP (Department for Work and Pensions). We will submit our next batch of applications by 23 July 2021. Applications will then take DWP approximately 4 to 8 weeks to be reviewed before we receive a response.  Thereafter, the next batch will be submitted.

 

Job vacancies

 

Once your company is approved by DWP, you will be asked to complete a Job vacancy template. The vacancy will be uploaded by the DWP onto the national job centre portal so candidates can apply. This process will take a further 4 weeks before the vacancies are live on the DWP national job centre portal and before candidates can apply. (Please note: you are not permitted to advertise the vacancy externally). 

 

Training and Development

 

The Government will fund £1,500 to support and train the young person. Sussex Chamber has numerous member training and college providers who can help you with your training needs.

 

Check out the Kickstart Scheme Training Providers & Training Courses here

 

 

The Kickstart scheme is open until December 2021.

 

Please note any business can apply. There is no requirement to be a Sussex Chamber member.