As a response to raising youth unemployment the government has set up the Kickstart scheme. The scheme offers employers incentives to employ young people.
Only the work coach at the job centre can refer the young participant who must be claiming universal credit and is at risk of long-term unemployment.
The job placements created with Kickstart funding must be new additional jobs. They must not:
- replace existing or planned vacancies
- cause existing employees or contractors to lose or reduce their employment.
The aim is to create 250,000 work placements for 16 to 24 year olds. Each Kickstart job lasts six months. Entry to the scheme is due to end in December 2021 and as placements will last for six months the scheme is likely to close in May/June 2021. The scheme is open to the public, private and voluntary sector.
The government pays the employers in the scheme 100 per cent of the relevant national minimum wage for 25 hours a week, plus the associated employer National Insurance contributions and employer minimum automatic enrolment contributions. They will also pay employers £1,500 for uniform, support and training cost for young people on a Kickstart placement.
Employers can apply for Kickstart placements either directly with DWP or they can use an intermediary which is called a gateway. Especially smaller businesses may decide to work through gateways who can also often offer training and other support.
The scheme is an opportunity for a young person to gain valuable work experience but it is also a chance for union reps to introduce union and union learning opportunities. It is important that the Kickstart jobs lead to sustainable long-term employment or apprenticeships and support career progression.
The TUC wants to see Kickstart deliver:
- Good quality jobs with training that is tailored to individual’s needs built in
- Additional jobs of real value to the community
- The programme must be based on equality from the start
- Employers should top up wages to a real living wage.
For more information:
- TUC guide looks at what the scheme is and why it is important, and how unions can best engage in with Kickstart – an introduction for union activists.
- The TUC Kickstart Charter
- TUC blog by Anjum Klair: Kickstart, the job creation scheme for young people, has to be a success.
- TU Education webinar: Introduction to the Kickstart scheme – what union reps need to know.
- Government Kickstart guidance for employers.