Government launches Kickstart Scheme - a £2bn fund to support work placements for young people.

The Kickstart Scheme from HM Government is a new £2 billion fund to create high quality, 6-month work placements for 16-24 year olds, who are at risk of long-term unemployment. Local Chambers of Commerce are working alongside the British Chambers of Commerce as intermediaries in coordinating business responses.

The pandemic has caused disruption to many businesses and individuals, who, through no fault of their own, find themselves without meaningful employment. The £2bn Kickstart Scheme aims to create hundreds of thousands of high quality, 6-month work placements for young people aged 16-24, who are claiming Universal Credit and at risk of long term unemployment. 

Businesses of all sizes looking to create quality jobs for young people can apply to create new 6-month job placements for eligible young people. The job placements should support the participants to develop the skills and experience they need to find work after completing the scheme.

HM Government will fund 100% of these related costs:

• Relevant National Minimum Wage for 25 hours a week
• Associated employer National Insurance contributions
• Employer minimum automatic enrolment contributions

Also, businesses taking on a Kickstart candidate can access £1,500 worth of support per job placement for setup costs, support and training, such as interview skills, employability workshops and cv writing.

Note: Local Chambers of Commerce are working alongside the British Chambers of Commerce as intermediaries in coordinating business responses. If your organisation is creating fewer than 30 Kickstart job placements, you may apply via your Chamber of Commerce as your intermediary. Your Chamber will assist you in facilitating the Kickstart scheme to provide opportunities for 16-24 year olds and advise you on the next steps to a successful future for your business and the candidate(s).

Are you eligible to benefit from the Kickstart Scheme?  

To read more detail about the scheme, please review GOV.UK's guide for employers about the Kickstart Scheme

To check if your business is eligible to apply, read the guidance here.

To apply via your regional Chamber of Commerce:

- East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce

- North & Western Lancashire Chamber of Commerce